WOLREC hosts leadership and assertiveness training for girls in Chikwawa

To strengthen the voice and leadership of older adolescent girls in both formal and informal community spaces, WOLREC conducted a leadership and assertiveness training in Traditional Authority Masache, Chikwawa.

The training brought together 40 girls from Konzere and Jackson Girls Youth Clubs, equipping them to advocate for their specific needs and demand action from duty bearers to ensure the full enjoyment of their rights.

With support from Trocaire under the Irish Civil Society Programme, WOLREC is implementing the Social Cultural Approach to the Empowerment of Women and Girls project in the district.

WOLREC Programs Manager Chimwemwe Chimasula hinted that waiting until girls become adults before giving them leadership opportunities excludes them from decisions that affect their immediate lives, including education, protection, and participation in community initiatives.

"Girls can be leaders today, not only when they become women. They should be given opportunities to actively participate in development processes now, as they have unique needs and perspectives that must be included in both formal and informal spaces,” she said.

Cecilia Fikani from the District Gender Office encouraged the girls to believe in their potential, emphasizing that women leaders play a vital role in addressing community needs.

She noted: “Leadership imbalances often start at home—whether through the toys and gifts parents provide or the tendency to grant boys more authority than girls. These early differences, shape the inequities seen later in leadership.

“When a woman becomes a leader, she takes care of the deep concerns of those around her,” she added.

During the two-day training, the girls were also encouraged to speak out against abuse and seek help from relevant institutions such as police and the social welfare office as they strive to drive positive changes withing their communities and beyond.