On September 16, 2024, 177,434 candidates who took their Malawi School Certificate Education (MSCE) eagerly waited to know how much fruit their four-year labor had borne. According to the Malawi National Examinations Board, a successful candidate must pass six subjects, including at least one with a credit pass or a pass five subjects with at least three credit passes.
For many, the four-year journey had been arduous. For Felistus Nyambwali and Joaquiner Kabudula, sitting for the MSCE had almost become an impossible dream. While getting into motherhood early in life had not been part of their original plans, it put an indefinite halt on their education and other future aspirations. Malawi has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in sub-Saharan Africa, with 29% of girls becoming pregnant before their 19th birthday. Girls who get pregnant while at school often face stigma, abuse, violence, or rejection and usually receive little or no support from their families or school administrators. These issues present significant challenges for pregnant girls and adolescent mothers hoping to continue their education. By failing to address and invest in the re-entry into school for the millions of girls who drop out of school each year because of underage pregnancy, many low and middle-income countries, like Malawi, stand to miss out on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly those related to gender equality, eradication of poverty, education, and reduced inequalities.
Since 2021, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) has been implementing a co-designed intervention to help young mothers return and stay in school. The ‘Action to Empower Adolescent Mothers in Burkina Faso and Malawi’ (PROMOTE) project offers young mothers a cash transfer if they re-enroll in school or vocational training. Additionally, the program has a mothers’ club where the parenting girls can interact with each other, learn various life skills, and create a safe space and a community with others in a similar situation.
“Through the PROMOTE program, I learned how to save money, no matter how small the amount. My friends would also contribute in class on how to start small businesses to make some profits,” said Felistus, one of the participants in the PROMOTE study. “I even witnessed some of the girls do business, which gave me hope that if they can do it, then I am also capable of doing it,” she added.
Joaquiner, another study participant, gained valuable lessons about contraceptives as critical in preventing another pregnancy in the near future. “I learned about all the ways I could protect myself from getting pregnant, for example, using the loop or getting the injection. With this knowledge, I know that I can have a bright future ahead of me because I will use these methods to protect myself from unwanted pregnancies,” she said.
Felistus Nyambwali during the recent graduation ceremony from the PROMOTE program.
Felistus and Joaquiner, who fell pregnant at 18 in their second and first years of secondary education, were forced to drop out of school and became entirely financially dependent on their already struggling families after the birth of their children. Initially with no hope of returning to school, the two were fortunate to be part of a cohort that received support through the PROMOTE study, getting a second chance at education and the future they had always dreamed of. When the results of the 2024 MSCE were announced, both girls had performed well, with Felistus and Joaquiner scoring 30 and 29 points, respectively.
Their journey took great sacrifice and family support to meet their responsibilities at home and school. “Time management was key to making all this possible. I used to wake up at 2 am to study, and then at 4 am, I would start on my chores and preparing my child and myself. I would leave for school by 6 am, and my child would be taken to school later. After school, I went straight home to care for my child,” recounted Felistus. “In the morning, I would cook porridge for my child, and my mother would feed him while I prepared myself for school. In the evening, I would go home, attend to any chores, rest briefly, and then study. Later in the evening, if my mother were not feeling well, I would prepare our evening meal. All in all, this was only possible because of my mother’s help,” said Joaquiner.
As the world commemorates the International Day of the Girl Child, we are reminded to ‘listen to girls, to invest in proven solutions that will accelerate progress towards a future in which every girl can fulfill her potential’. Through concerted efforts by governments, parents, and communities, girls can be empowered to overcome challenges and realize their dreams. Recognizing the critical phase adolescence plays in one’s life, the safety and security of girls is imperative. All stakeholders must work together to ensure that girls are protected, educated, and healthy, with equal opportunities to better their future. In the spirit of ‘nothing for us, without us,’ this year’s theme appeals to the recognition and inclusion of girls’ opinions and plans in charting the future in an ever-changing world. Girls’ vision for the future is a clarion call to center and support girls even as they set out to change narratives, break boundaries, and reach beyond the bounds posed by societal norms and unintended occurrences such as adolescent pregnancy.
While Joaquiner would like to resit for the MSCE exams in a bid for better results that would allow her to pursue a degree in Medicine, Felistus is looking forward to continuing with school- getting a diploma and then a degree in Economics. “If there were more projects like this to empower girls to return to school and assist them with fees, that would help. Our community leaders, as well, should be involved in encouraging us to focus on education. I know many girls would like to return to school but lack the financial capability,” said Felistus. Joaquiner’s parting shot is a wake-up call and encouragement: “Don’t look down on yourself. All you need is to put in the effort to make it happen. There are a lot of distractions, for example, boys. You need to know why you returned to school, focus and work hard. Have a goal you want to achieve so that you do not get distracted and put all your effort into achieving that goal.”
Witness Tapani Alfonso (UNIM-Centre for Social Research) contributed to the writing of this article.