Report exposes extensive harassment of schoolgirls

By Deborah Madeya: An Afrobarometer report has revealed that 31 percent of school-going girls in Malawi face discrimination, harassment or requests for sexual favours from their teachers. This exceeds the continental average of 27 percent and is higher than neighbouring countries Zambia at 20 percent and Tanzania at 18 percent. The report highlights the need for the police and courts to do more to protect women and girls. It also notes that many citizens believe victims are likely to be believed but that no action is taken after reports are made. The survey further found that social norms continue to limit women's participation in economic activity, with a quarter of respondents saying women are often or always prevented from taking paid employment by spouses or family members. According to the report, support for gender equality in hiring in Malawi declined from 62 percent in 2017-18 to 56 percent in 2024-25, a drop of six percentage points. "Across Africa, respondents identified employer preference for hiring men, limited education and skills among women, lack of childcare services and inflexible working conditions as some of the key obstacles preventing women from entering and advancing in the workforce," the report reads. Commenting on the findings, Maggie Kathewera Banda, Chairperson of the NGO Gender Coordination Network, said there is a need to change the approach to the issue and that the high prevalence of abuse suggests gaps in the implementation of policies aimed at protecting women and girls. According to Kathewera Banda, societal attitudes and power dynamics that allow the practice to continue must be addressed, noting that without this, women's economic independence will be difficult to achieve. "The findings also show that protecting girls requires more than policies, it requires changing attitudes and power dynamics that enable abuse to continue." "Schools must establish safe and confidential reporting systems and ensure that allegations of abuse are investigated promptly," she said. Kathewera Banda added that beyond protection measures, girls need support to secure their future. She said this includes keeping them in school through scholarships and social protection programmes, providing mentorship opportunities and strengthening sexual and reproductive health education.

WIRE — By Deborah Madeya: An Afrobarometer report has revealed that 31 percent of school-going girls in Malawi face discrimination, harassment or requests for sexual favours from their teachers. This exceeds the continental average of 27 percent and is higher than neighbouring countries Zambia at 20 percent and Tanzania at 18 percent. The report highlights the need for the police and courts to do more to protect women and girls. It also notes that many citizens believe victims are likely to be believed but that no action is taken after reports are made. The survey further found that social norms continue to limit women's participation in economic activity, with a quarter of respondents saying women are often or always prevented from taking paid employment by spouses or family members. According to the report, support for gender equality in hiring in Malawi declined from 62 percent in 2017-18 to 56 percent in 2024-25, a drop of six percentage points. "Across Africa, respondents identified employer preference for hiring men, limited education and skills among women, lack of childcare services and inflexible working conditions as some of the key obstacles preventing women from entering and advancing in the workforce," the report reads. Commenting on the findings, Maggie Kathewera Banda, Chairperson of the NGO Gender Coordination Network, said there is a need to change the approach to the issue and that the high prevalence of abuse suggests gaps in the implementation of policies aimed at protecting women and girls. According to Kathewera Banda, societal attitudes and power dynamics that allow the practice to continue must be addressed, noting that without this, women's economic independence will be difficult to achieve. "The findings also show that protecting girls requires more than policies, it requires changing attitudes and power dynamics that enable abuse to continue." "Schools must establish safe and confidential reporting systems and ensure that allegations of abuse are investigated promptly," she said. Kathewera Banda added that beyond protection measures, girls need support to secure their future. She said this includes keeping them in school through scholarships and social protection programmes, providing mentorship opportunities and strengthening sexual and reproductive health education.

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