FAWE Malawi (FAWEMA) continues to strengthen its commitment to empowering adolescent girls and young women through education and access to essential knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Through a series of Open Days held across Lilongwe, Dowa, and Ntchisi districts, FAWEMA is creating safe and supportive platforms for young people to engage in open dialogue, access accurate information, and build the confidence needed to make informed decisions about their health and future.
These activities are part of the iHEARD project, a transformative initiative implemented by FAWEMA in collaboration with a consortium of nine partners led by CODE, Farm Radio Trust, and MSI Reproductive Choices. The project targets vulnerable adolescent girls and young women aged 10 to 25, recognising that access to SRHR information is not only a health issue but also a critical pathway to improving education outcomes, advancing gender equality, and reducing poverty.
Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue and Empowerment
The Open Days bring together learners from upper primary and secondary schools, providing them with a structured and supportive environment to discuss issues that directly affect their lives. By targeting learners from Standard 5 to 8 and all secondary school students, FAWEMA ensures that young people receive age-appropriate information during critical stages of their development.
These sessions provide an opportunity for learners to ask questions, express concerns, and gain accurate knowledge about their health, rights, and wellbeing. In many communities, such discussions remain limited due to cultural barriers, stigma, or lack of access to reliable information. FAWEMA’s Open Days address this gap by fostering open, respectful, and informative conversations.
The initiative complements FAWEMA’s ongoing work through youth clubs, where young people meet regularly to explore topics including SRHR, education, gender equality, self-awareness, assertiveness, and prevention of gender-based violence. These clubs play a vital role in building peer support networks and encouraging young people to become informed advocates for their own wellbeing.
Strengthening Knowledge Through Expert and Community Engagement
A key strength of the Open Days is the active involvement of professionals and community leaders who contribute their expertise and guidance. Health practitioners, educators, gender specialists, and child protection experts are invited to engage directly with learners, providing accurate information and addressing misconceptions.
Community role models also play an important role in motivating learners, sharing personal experiences, and encouraging young people to overcome barriers that may limit their educational and personal development. Their presence reinforces the message that informed, confident young people are better equipped to pursue their goals and contribute positively to their communities.
Advancing Education, Equality, and Opportunity
By equipping young people with essential SRHR knowledge, FAWEMA is helping to create conditions that support continued school attendance, improved academic performance, and enhanced wellbeing. Access to information empowers learners to make responsible decisions, protect their health, and remain focused on their education.
The Open Days reflect FAWEMA’s holistic approach to education—one that recognises the interconnectedness of health, education, and empowerment. By addressing SRHR alongside academic and life skills development, FAWEMA ensures that young people are supported in all aspects of their growth.
As part of FAWE’s continental mission, FAWEMA’s work demonstrates the power of education and knowledge in transforming lives. By creating safe spaces for learning and dialogue, FAWEMA is empowering a new generation of young people in Malawi to make informed choices, pursue their education, and build brighter futures.