Thyolo, MALAWI // Dubai Cares is working with a local non-government organisation in Malawi to introduce education projects to the country.
It is hoped that 11,000 girls in upper primary and secondary schools will benefit from the programme, which is aimed at curbing gender-based violence, early pregnancy or HIV infection in marriage, and debilitating poverty.
“This should be the catalyst for change in Malawi,” said Joseph Kazima, vice chairman for the Creative Centre for Community Mobilisation, the Malawian group working with Dubai Cares.
“We are now looking at the issue of gender equality. The sustainability of any programme depends on the involvement of the whole community.”
Bylaws introduced to improve attendance include fines for parents who fail to ensure their children are in school.
The programme has three main focal points: strengthening English-language skills in adolescent girls, community advocacy, and clubs for girls and mothers to empower young women.
Dubai Cares has so far helped more than a million children in 42 countries to gain a better education.
“Wherever I go Malawi has come up as a topic and it has never been far from our radar,” said Dubai Cares’ chief executive Tariq Al Gurg.
“We’ve been trying to help the poorest countries in the world and have been designing this programme for more than a year. This would not work without our partners.”
nwebster@thenational.ae
