The Silent Courage of Girls Who Stay

                

In many of the communities where I’ve worked, the value of educating a girl is often questioned—or quietly ignored. One visit to a school in a rural village in Neno District made this reality hit hard. I remember walking into a Standard 8 classroom and noticing something striking: 30 boys filled the desks, but only one girl sat among them.

Just one!

We checked the records. From Standard 1, the number of girls enrolled was impressive. But as the years passed, the numbers dropped—steadily, almost predictably. By the time they reached upper primary, most girls had disappeared from the classroom.

We asked the headmaster why? His answer was blunt. “They get married,” he said. “And to many of them, that’s not a bad thing. They look at their married friends and think those girls are doing better in life than the ones still in school.”

In these communities, once a girl reaches puberty, the expectation is marriage, not graduation. Education becomes a detour, not a destination. Some parents even consider girls who stay in school past puberty as wasting time. In contrast, those who marry early are praised, admired and seen as responsible. Some are even described as “successful.”

Girls are raised to believe that their value lies in becoming good wives, quiet, obedient, and domestically skilled. In some cultures, a girl who is kept at home is more desirable for marriage and can even fetch a higher bride price. Education is seen as a threat to that ideal.

In parts of Northern Malawi, I’ve heard stories of girls whose biggest ambition is to marry a man working in South Africa. These men, often doing piece jobs, are treated like kings when they return home. Their ability to send small amounts of money or bring clothes and accessories makes them appear wealthy—ideal husbands. The idea of marrying such a man is so attractive that for many girls, school can’t compete.

The reality is heartbreaking.😞

In rural schools, most of the teachers are men. There are very few female teachers and even fewer female leaders for girls to look up to. Without strong female role models, girls are left to wonder if anyone like them has ever succeeded through education. No one tells them they can be more. No one shows them they already are.

I remember when I was in Form 4. A friend of mine, a year behind in Form 3, was given away in marriage by her parents. It was an arranged marriage, to a man she had never met. He was the son of her parents’ friends and worked in South Africa. He didn’t even attend the wedding, it happened without him. After the ceremony, she was sent to South Africa to live with a man she didn’t know. Her voice was silenced before she ever had the chance to use it. She left school, left her dreams and became a wife because she had no say. Her parents were proud. They believed she had achieved something greater than we ever could.

And yet, I wonder, what if she had stayed?

What if she, and the one brave girl in that classroom in Neno, were given the chance to grow into the women they dreamed of becoming? What if their parents had seen knowledge as the most powerful bride price?

When girls are educated, everything changes. They marry later, earn more, and raise healthier children. They lift their families and their communities out of poverty. But none of that can happen unless we stand with them, unless we show up, speak out and help shift the story.

Because every time a girl stays in school, it’s more than just a seat filled in a classroom. It’s a revolution in the making.

 

Let's join hands to make the benefit of equally sending girls (and boys) to school realized. Let's work to have our girls and boys have informed guidance for the betterment of the future generation.

Seeds of Hope: Growing Beyond Poverty in Malawi

 

We can say that many of today’s poor children are likely to become tomorrow’s poor adults. Why? In most parts of rural Malawi, property is often passed down through inheritance. But when it comes to poverty, what gets passed on isn’t just land or belongings—it’s also a way of life.

Many people link poverty with misery, but anyone familiar with life in rural Malawi knows something different. Growing up in this part of Malawi, I know that poor families often face hardship with strength and even joy, just like in many other developing countries. Still, we know change is possible. Some families in Malawi who were once poor are now doing well. This shows us that with opportunity and support, people can move out of poverty.

Why Child Poverty Matters

Poverty affects children the most because it strikes at the heart of their development. It puts their health, education, nutrition, and overall safety at constant risk. In Malawi, many poor families live in rural areas where access to basic services is limited. These families face daily struggles such as food shortages, lack of clean water, poor healthcare, and overcrowded or under-resourced schools.

On top of these challenges, natural disasters like droughts and floods—made worse by climate change—disrupt farming, which most families depend on for income and food. This creates cycles of hunger, school dropouts, and early marriage, especially for girls. Economic shocks, such as rising prices or job losses, further push families to make difficult choices, often at the expense of children’s wellbeing.

When children grow up in poverty, they start life at a disadvantage. Without support, many never catch up. That’s why breaking the cycle of child poverty is not just a moral issue—it’s essential for Malawi’s future development. Children who are healthy, educated, and protected are more likely to grow into adults who can support themselves and their communities.

The Need for Sustainable Solutions

Even with efforts to reduce poverty, many children in Malawi are still left behind. Without real action, more and more children will be born into poverty, and Malawi will struggle to meet its goal of ending extreme poverty. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have. It can break the cycle of poverty and give children a chance at a better future. That’s why Malawi must invest more in education—especially for children in rural areas, children with disabilities and those from marginalized communities. Rural communities also need support to improve their income and skills. By helping parents earn a living and support their families, we create a stronger foundation for the next generation.

In Conclusion

If we want to end child poverty in Malawi, we must put children at the center of every policy, program, and development plan. Investing in children today means building a stronger, more resilient Malawi tomorrow. This includes ensuring that every child—no matter where they are born—has access to quality education, healthcare, nutritious food, and protection from harm.

We must also empower families and communities with the tools and opportunities they need to support their children. This means creating sustainable livelihoods, strengthening social protection systems, and ensuring that no child is left behind due to where they live or the circumstances they are born into.

By working together, government, civil society, development partners, and communities, we can break the cycle of poverty and give every child the chance not just to survive, but to thrive, dream, and shape a better future for Malawi.