According to Malawi Demographic Health Survey (MDHS 2015-2016) Thyolo District recorded 26% of women and girls aged 15-19 who were unable to read or write compared to men who were at 12.5%. Only 5.3% females completed primary education, and 1.1% completed secondary school education. 31.1% cases of early pregnancies among girls between ages of 10-18 leading to girls’ school dropouts; 34% of women experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and 20 % experienced sexual violence. 5% of every-pregnant women reported that they experienced any form of physical violence during any pregnancy.

After baseline survey Chipembere Community Development Organization found out that there were enormous cases of gender inequity in Thyolo District which were characterized by early girl child marriage and depression of women which were influenced by teenage pregnancies, lack of education, job opportunities and poverty. The situation led to poor health of girls and women, violence of human rights and poor socio-economic wellbeing of adolescent girls and young women in the district. The project was implemented in 2019.

With support from Rise up together, Chipembere Community Development Organization implemented a project titled enabling girls to advance gender equity in TA Changata and Mchilamwela. The project aimed at developing the functioning and implementation plan that will guide all structures to execute bylaws related to adolescent girl’s rights in T/A Changata and Mchiramwela while providing the girls with opportunities to lead and create change in their communities and eventually continuing with their education.

CCDO engaged community leaders in the development and implementation of Thyolo bylaws related to adolescent girls, increased local communities’ awareness on the implementation plan for bylaws and in facilitating implementation of adolescent girls’ bylaws documented, binded, launched and disseminated.

Currently we have the functioning and implementation plan that is guiding all structures to execute bylaws related to adolescent girls’ rights in Thyolo district. The girls are equipped with opportunities that are helping them to lead and create change in their communities while eradicating early marriages.