Scots project extended in Malawi

A project aimed at empowering women in Malawi, and supported by a Scottish council, is to be rolled out across the African country.

North Lanarkshire Council has been working with women in the Luchenza area to increase levels of education, combat HIV and tackle extreme poverty.

It has been championing the work of Mother Groups and has carried out a study of their success.

Now the Malawian government has agreed to similar initiatives in all schools.

The Mothers Groups aim to encourage women and men in local communities to support the rights of young women to a decent education.

Through training parents and senior members of the community, Mother Groups can successfully tackle the barriers which prevent girls in Malawi from going to school
Charles Fawcett

A number of barriers face girls attending school in Malawi, including poverty, violence and threat to their safety.

The groups work with the leaders of local tribes in order to encourage a culture where the education of young women is viewed as a positive thing.

A delegation of pupils and teachers from North Lanarkshire schools has visited Malawi annually in recent years.

Charles Fawcett, a retired deputy head teacher who now works on the council's Healthy Lifestyles project, carried out an evaluation of the success of the Mothers Groups.

His recommendations that they be extended have been accepted by the Ministry of Education in Malawi.

Tackling barriers

He said: "Often families struggle to find money for school fees, uniforms and books and are forced to choose between educating a boy or a girl - so often the girl in the family will miss out on schooling.

"Our report has found that through training parents and senior members of the community, Mother Groups can successfully tackle the barriers which prevent girls in Malawi from going to school."

Hazel Manda, divisional education manager in Malawi's Shire Highlands education division, said: "This project has a very positive effect on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, and gender inequality.

"The Groups also help reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases and ensure a sustainable environment."

Ian Grant, a former pupil at Rosehall High School in Coatbridge who now works with the council's Healthy Lifestyles team, has visited Malawi twice.

He said: "It's amazing to see the difference these projects North Lanarkshire is supporting can make.

"The first time I went to Malawi it was a very hard-hitting and emotional experience."

He added: "To go back a second time and see the development and progress that has been made, and everything click into place, was fantastic.

"The response from the young people out there was really great."