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The German International Cooperation has tasked residents of Chadiza District of Eastern Province to prioritise ending abuse, early marriage and harmful cultural practices against adolescent girls.
German International Cooperation (GIZ) Strengthening Girls Rights Project Acting Programme Manager, Felix Bwalya, emphasized that Chadiza could no longer afford silence as girls continued to face violence, discrimination and barriers to education.
The warning came during the second public engagement meeting under the Strengthening Girls Rights (SGR) Project, being implemented by Young Happy Health and Safe (YHHS) in partnership with the GIZ in Chadiza on Wednesday.
The Strengthening Girls Rights Project is targeting the protection, participation and empowerment of adolescent girls through sustained community engagement, advocacy and collaboration with local stakeholders in Chadiza.
Bwalya said the crisis facing adolescent girls would not be solved by government or NGOs alone and was not optional, but an urgent community responsibility.
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“Strengthening girls’ rights is not something that can be done by one organisation alone. It requires all of us to work together to ensure that girls grow up in safe, supportive and enabling environments where they can thrive,” he said.
Bwalya stressed that traditional leaders, parents, schools and government institutions must act together or risk leaving another generation of girls behind.
He further stated that GIZ remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence and improve access to education and essential services for adolescent girls.
Chief Mwangala of the Chewa-speaking people, represented by Nduna Cheteka, backed the campaign and described it as timely.
The traditional leadership called on parents and guardians to reject harmful cultural practices and instead support education and empowerment programmes for girls.
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