Girls belong in the classroom
Leaving no girl behind
Every year, girls across Malawi drop out of school due to teenage pregnancies, early marriages and lack of school fees.
About 17 girls at Mvera Community Day Secondary School were given a second chance with their secondary education thanks to the European Unions's (EU) Spotlight Initiative which has eased their return to school through scholarships.
“People including my own father told me that I will never become anyhting in life and that I should forget about going back to school. He constantly reminds and mocks me each time I am getting ready for school. But I have challenged him to watch me become a force in my community. I want to improve my life and my family’s, and to be a role model in my community. I no longer pay attention to what people are saying about me. I am focused on my education and my dreams. I am happy that Spotlight has come to our rescue with the tuition scholarship and I can already see my dream of becoming a nurse come true. ” Ruth, Form 4 student (second from left)
The Spotlight Initiative is a United Nations Joint Programme with UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA and UNDP with funding from the EU. In partnership with the Malawi Government, the programme seeks to eliminate violence against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices.
The Spotlight scholarships cater for the girl's school fees, but also other necessities like uniforms, learning materials, sanitary pads and boarding costs.
True to Spotlight’s motto, these are modern girls who know what they want and are determined to achieve their goals.
