Keep 1000 Malawi Girls in School Through WASH

The lack of access to adequate sanitation and ablution facilities at Malawian schools remains a cause for concern. Statistics indicate that only 23% of schools have the required facilities which negatively learners, especially female students on their menstrual cycle. The consequence thereof is that when they're menstruating, they will stay home during this period. Continuous absenteeism discourages girls from continuing their education therefore leaving them vulnerable to early marriage and teenage pregnancy.

To aid in this regard and ensure that the girls feel safe and comfortable at school, Waqful Waqifin undertook the construction of changing rooms and toilets. Phanda Primary School, located in Ngozo Village (Mwanza District), has an enrollment of 973 students, 59% of whom are females. Upon assessment, it was found that the school's facilities were subpar. The organisation responded by building six new toilets and two change rooms.

Evelyn Dwawo, a standard 8 learner from the school, said that: "We spend long hours at school doing extra classes as we are about to write Primary School Leaving Certificate exams. We come to school as early as 6am and leave at 6pm. Without the changerooms, it was very difficult to stay at school for such long hours while menstruating. Now we have these change rooms and we are not worried about long hours at school anymore."

Access to adequate sanitation facilities in Malawi’s Primary Schools is a big challenge. Only 23% of the schools have adequate sanitation facilities which impact young girls the most. Lack of change rooms in schools means that they stay home during the menstruation period which is at least one week of absenteeism per month. Continuous absenteeism discourages girls from continuing their education and end up dropping out of school. Once a girl drops out of school; they end up getting married which leads to teenage pregnancy, reducing their chances of becoming skilled, employable women.

To ensure girls remain in school, Gift of the Givers Foundation constructs change rooms and toilets in rural primary schools. Phanda Primary School in Ngozo village, Mwanza district has an enrolment of 973 students, 59% of whom are girls. However, the school had inadequate toilets and no changing rooms for the girls. Gift of the Givers constructed six toilets and two changerooms at this school, ensuring girls have a decent and safe space for their menstrual hygiene.

One of the girls from Standard 8 said, "We spend long hours at school doing extra classes as we are about to write Primary School Leaving Certificate exams. We come to school as early as 6 am and leave at 6 pm. Without the changerooms, it was very difficult to stay at school for such long hours while menstruating. Now we have these changerooms and we are not worried about long hours at school anymore. “

Links:

• https://giftofthegivers.org/where-we-work/malawi/