First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera has described challenges the education sector faces as a threat to the future of Malawi’s youths and stressed for the need of initiatives to eradicate them.
She expressed concern that only 17% of youths in the country have access to secondary education due to poverty, long distances to schools and inadequate infrastructure.
Additionally, she said 42% of girls between ages of 15 – 19 are either pregnant or have already given birth and 42% are married before the age of 18, leading to high school drop out rates that perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
Madam Chakwera said this during a summit of the global platform for First Ladies and Gentlemen at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, USA on Tuesday.
The First Lady said youth unemployment intensifies poverty and inequality in Malawi because most lack the requisite skills for the job market, thereby impeding economic participation and growth.
“Enhancing the quality of education is paramount in overcoming these challenges by improving adolescent health, reducing incidences of child marriages and fostering youth participation in the economy,” Madam Chakwera said.
She highlighted the initiatives of the Shaping Our Future Foundation, which focus on advancing girls’ education, empowering women economically and advocating for sexual and reproductive health.
She added that the Foundation’s efforts have helped over 2,000 girls to remain in school and 25 girls to attend public universities.
