CHICOSUDO and the Fight to End Child Marriage in Malawi

Lesley Kapile raising awareness during a speaking event

Chitani Community Sustainable Development Organization (CHICOSUDO), operating out of Malawi, has made great strides in the second half of their campaign End Child Marriage Now!!! Protect Her Rights, which strives to prevent 500 child marriages from happening before March, 2021 by advocating for policies that would prevent such marriages. The goal of this project is not just to prevent these marriages from a legal standpoint, but to change hearts and minds within communities, and to empower young girls, both through the dissemination of education and by enabling them to have the freedom to fully enjoy their childhood.

Since our last update, CHICOSUDO has:

• Successfully halted three child marriages

• Sent six young girls who were arranged to be married back to school

• Involved men in the communities to work as Protectors for these young girls

• Convinced traditional community leaders to champion this cause and to advocate for changes to be made in community bylaws. 

Men from the community training to serve as Protectors for young girls at risk of entering child marriages.

By focusing not only on legislation, but by turning attention toward community engagement and education, CHICOSUDO has sucessfully influenced grassroots cultural shifts in attitude toward child marriage. CHICOSUDO is able not only to work on intervening in and preventing these marriages, but facilitates the girls themselves in becoming advocates against it within their own communities. 

Education has always been a big part of this campaign. Efforts on this front are primarily focused on teaching young women and girls about female sexual and reproductive health and safety, and how to prevent unintentional pregnancy. This is a priority because it helps to fight misinformation, and arms young girls with the knowledge they need to exercise their bodily autonomy, and to be safe. CHICOSUDO was successfully able to reach 155 girls from 18 youth groups and provide access to crucial reproductive educational information. In 2020, however, no public health campaign could be carried out without considerations made for COVID-19, and this one was no exception. In kind, some of CHICOSUDO’s health advocacy expanded to include reliable, consistent, and factual information about how to deter the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These educational efforts, much like the legislative ones, are centered within communities. A door-to-door COVID-19 prevention campaign was carried out and more than 3,500 people were reached with urgently needed information. 

Though 2020 is over, CHICOSUDO’s campaign will continue through the first quarter of 2021. We will leave you with a few words from their Board Chairperson, Brenda Nachuma.

“As we are entering 2021, don’t let us [be] alone. We expect more from you so that more lives of women and children may change. Youth and women should gain skills for self-reliance, girls should be free from any form of violence…”

Preventing Early and Forced Marriages in Malawi

Chitani Community Sustainable Development Organization (CHICOSUDO) is almost halfway through their 6-month project, End Child Marriage Now!!! Protect Her Rights. Their goal is to prevent 500 early and forced marriages by the end of March 2021.

Since September, they have held an orientation meeting, conducted needs assessment surveys, and completed three awareness campaigns.

Orientation Meeting

The orientation meeting was held with traditional leaders, community-based organization (CBO) members, village development committee members, a child protection worker, and the headteacher of Sukayakwe Primary School. The adoption of bylaws set, but not yet verified, by the Mulanje district council and how to reinforce them in the wider community were discussed. Capacity building with the traditional leaders increased as they agreed to work together with CHICOSUDO in the fight against child marriage.

Traditional Leaders attending the Orientation Meeting

“Traditional leaders are the key in the fight because they are gatekeepers and custodians of culture. Therefore, putting them in front is the key to promoting bylaws which were formed by different stakeholders in the area. At the same time, they are also the key to addressing harmful cultural norms that promote gender-based violence and violence against women and girls.”

— CHICOSUDO Executive Director, Mr. Samson W. Mulole

Mr. Bizwick Nakapa, Ntonya CBO Chair, speaking on the role they have in promoting bylaws to protect girls from early child marriage.

The Ntonya CBO strengthened their capacity building skills through greater knowledge of how to dissemintate information, taught by CHICOSUDO. According to Ntonya CBO Chair, Mr Bizwick Nakapa, “despite our efforts in promoting girls education in our respective villages, the [End Child Marriage Now!!! Protect Her Rights] campaign addressed the gaps, including capacity, financial and material, in support for the full implementation of the community bylaws. Although we were able to encourage parents to prioritize their girl child’s education, cases of child marriages were still happening. Now with the support available from CHICOSUDO and Rockflower, we are able to disseminate the bylaws so that more parents are able to know the consequences of child marriages”.

Needs Assessment Survey

A needs assessment survey was conducted using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews of 21 women and 11 men. The main aim of this was to assess the magnitude of early marriages in area, key drivers and how bylaws are used by both adolescence/girls and duty bearers. A total of 35 people were reached. Participants include: traditional leaders, head teachers, mothers groups representatives, CBO members, child protection workers, victim support unit, parents and guardians of girls 12 to 17 years old in and out of schools, and adolescent girls.

The survey found a high rate of childhood pregnancy and early marriages resulting in school dropout rates to increase. Almost 75% of parents interviewed confirmed child marriage is a prominent issue with negative impacts. These impacts include health implications. The Mulanje district has the highest HIV prevalance rate in Malawi at 21%. Cervical cancer rates are also high. In addition to health problems, 95% of respondents mentioned that girls who get married early are normally forced into poverty, experience abuse, lack an education, and more. 85% of parents interviewed expressed concern about girls moving back home with their children due to the marriage falling apart and their inability to find employment.

The key drivers of child marriage are cultural practices, economic pressures and lack of reproductive health education. There is a large gap around bylaws and their implementation by all parties that participated.

Focus Groups conducted for the Need Assessment Survey

Awareness Campaigns

Three awareness campaigns have been held. Read in-depth about one of the awareness campaigns held in October here.

Challenges and Recommendations

The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted gathering sizes causing CHICOSUDO to reorganize their efforts, but they continue to work diligently to reach their objectives. CBOs and traditional leaders had low capacity building skils before their trainings during and after the orientation meeting. Cultural norms continue to be challenging.

The project will continue by holding more awareness campaigns, in particular with CBOs and schools with constant access to adolescent children. Adolescent girls will be trained in peer education, reproductive health and rights to create opportunities to be change agents. The CBOs will be empowered to diseminate information regarding the advocacy focused community bylaws. Work with district leaders to formalize the bylaws. 5 CBO male members have been trained as protectors to counteract cultural norms.

SIRP Marks Menstrual Hygiene Management Day with Best Practices and Reusable Sanitary Pads

The Society for the Improvement of Rural People in Enugu State, Nigeria, addresses all aspects of what it will take for women and girls to thrive in their communities. They continue to conduct workshops and seminars, whilst maintaining appropriate guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the community. SIRP's success in tackling the root causes of female genital mutilation (FGM) by working with traditional leaders and educators proved to be a great foundation as they confront the ongoing crisis on COVID-19. 

With continued support from Rockflower, SIRP marked Menstrual Hygiene Management Day with a gathering designed to share best menstrual health practices and ways to make reusable sanitary pads. The information and assistance were both timely and well-received. 

A direct consequence of the lockdown is the potential for increased gender-based violence, a resurgence in FGM, and greater use of drugs. Below are the thoughts Dr. Chris Ugwu, Executive Director of SIRP, shared with us.

“For rural communities in Enugu State, the immediate impact of the pandemic is not a direct health impact, but rather indirect. The virus originated primarily in our urban centers of Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, etc, and government responses have focused on containing the virus and "flattening the curve", as much as possible.

If the virus spreads at the same rate as it is doing currently in the urban centers; weaker health systems in our rural communities would cause the direct impacts of the virus to be felt more acutely, compounding the economic impacts. In the long term, whether the virus spreads to rural areas or not, it is very likely that food systems will be disrupted and economic challenges will continue, particularly impacting vulnerable rural households, especially women and children.

The group most vulnerable as COVID-19 rises in an astronomical rate (by today Nigeria has recorded 1728 infected cases, 307 discharged, and 51 death cases) are women. The disproportionate burden on women and girls as caregivers, household managers, and participants in the informal and insecure economy is brought into stark relief by this pandemic.

Because, rural communities in Enugu State have not been affected adversely by COVID-19, as they are usually seen as a secondary priority by the government. Meanwhile, the rural communities are already feeling the impacts of government shutdowns and social distancing measures- delaying support for them risks pushing them faster towards extreme poverty. Women in the rural communities of Enugu State are already at risk because of entrenched gender inequalities, in which women and men have differential access to help them cope with and recover from this kind of pandemic.

It's our thinking that as a strategy the Social Safety Net programs must be prioritized.

Action and Tools Needed: Access to relief funds and food palliatives distributed through credible community NGOs as partners. While social distancing and movement restrictions are crucial to slow the spread of COVID-19, agricultural channels must remain open. Cutting off these access points for vulnerable subsisting women rural farmers, for instance, removes both their opportunities to earn their additional income through employment and buy the right inputs for their farms, and risk their food security when they need to buy food to supplement their own crops.

Action and Strategy Being Recommended: The Chinese model "green lanes" in which rural farmers have relaxed lockdown guidelines that allow farmers to go to their farms on identified days." 

Continuing Reproductive Health through the COVID-19 Pandemic

African Youth Alliance, based in Cameroon, is led by Roseline and her team were just beginning their work on the Five Keys in Five Villages project at the start of this year before they had to pivot and regroup to address the needs imposed by the spread of COVID-19. This 2-year project was designed exclusively by AYA and the villages, to prove and track how each of the five keys overlaps and impacts each other. Through regular meetings to share findings and resources, they plan to offer a comprehensive review of why funding locally-led initiatives is the key to progress. The following is an edited excerpt from an interim report. 

"The village of Tumuku was assigned the key of Maternal and Reproductive Health. With the support of a community volunteer, the nurse had detailed discussion sessions with the groups in Tumuku village on the following topics to make sure that the members understood these topics: reproductive health, family planning, and general hygiene. With respect to reproductive health, she defined both terms, reproduction and health, for the group to understand them separately before highlighting the difference between the reproductive health of a female and a male. The group was able to freely talk about issues relating to females, such as breast and hip development and menstruation, and how they noticed a change in their muscles, deep voice, development of axillary and facial hairs for males. The women and girls were urged to practice safe sex with the right person as well as carry out regular medical checks in order to ensure they were in good health. Family planning was also defined during the brainstorming session, and a detailed explanation was given on the different methods of birth control including the natural method, a condom, pills, withdrawal method, and tubal ligation. Breastfeeding was discussed. The practices of good personal hygiene and to have a balanced diet for healthy living were encouraged. To round up the group lectures, the nurse educated the women and girls in attendance on basic and necessary hygienic measures, such as hand washing before and after meals or a visit to the toilet, washing of the head/face, taking a bath at least once or twice daily and when you do hard labor to avoid the use of bleaching agent on your body as it will remove melanin. It is worth noting that these activities were very educational and important because it built a foundation of knowledge for the women and girls to care for themselves in order to continue to stay healthy during this latest crisis of COVID-19."

Go Fish! To Improve Maternal Nutrition

Hope for Rural Women recently began construction on their aquaponic fish farm. Built on the success of their Micro Gardens and Mushroom cultivation, the Aquaponics Fish Farming Pilot Project was created. The project is expected to provide knowledge and training to 50 women beneficiaries on fish and vegetable production, reduce malnutrition of expectant mothers by utilizing the fish protein, and economically empower women and their families through the sale of vegetables and fish.

Implementation of the project has reached construction of the fish tanks and grow gardens. Construction to this point can be found in the photos below. Next, the water pump will be installed to provide clean water in the fish tanks and reuse the highly fertilized water for the garden beds. Lastly, the fish tanks will be stocked with 200 African Catfish juveniles. The vegetable seeds have been purchased and are waiting to be planted.

Scaling Production of Reusable Sanitary Pads Project

Rockflower is launching a campaign to scale up the production of reusable sanitary pads and other feminine hygiene products made by Womenchoice Industries to improve economic opportunities for low income families in Muheza, Tanzania and to keep girls in school.

The goal of $7,900 will cover Womenchoice Industries entire budget for increasing production and helping tens of thousands of girls gain access to menstrual products and improve their capacity for full retention in school.

The Scaling Production of Reusable Sanitary Pads Project campaign is being led by Mollie Meredith, a member of our Youth Advisory Board.

About Womenchoice Industries

Womenchoice Industries is a social enterprise established to provide solutions to menstrual and other feminine hygiene problems. Through the production and distribution of low cost, affordable (MHM) reusable sanitary towels, “Salama Pads”, post-partum maternity pads, reusable tampons, diapers and breast pads, they are creating a market opportunity for women and girls from low income families, to learn skills and business acumen that will in turn improve girls’ school attendance and academic performance in Tanzania. Additionally, Womenchoice Industries owned by Lucy Odiwa won the SDGs and Her competition in 2018 hosted by the World Bank and UN Women. 

Rockflower Completes Fundraising for Phase 2 in Ending FGM

The funding for Phase 2 to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in partnership with the Society for the Improvement of Rural People (SIRP) has been completed.

The second phase will build on the success of SIRP’s efforts to engage men and boys in the push to end FGM and prevent child marriage. Our goals are to keep girls in school and reduce the FGM prevalence rate from 85% to 45% over a twelve month period.
Rex Ward, a member of our Youth Advisory Board, led the End Female Genital Mutilation and Keep Girls in School campaign to its successful conclusion.

Rockflower Partners with Womenchoice Industries to Create Reusable Sanitary Pads

Rockflower is pleased to announce a new partnership with Womenschoice Industries, a social enterprise established to provide solutions to menstrual and other feminine hygiene problems.

Rockflower is partnering with Womenchoice Industries to invest in scaling up the production of resusable sanitary pads and other feminine hygiene products to improve economic opportunities for low income families in Muheza, Tanzania and to keep girls in school.  

Find out more about Reusable Sanitary Pads Project.

The founder of Womenchoice Industries, Lucy Odiwa, was also the winner of the SDGs and Her competition that another one of our partners, Mukuru Cookstoves, placed second in. Read more about the competition and her win here.

A Year in Review for Rockflower Partner, Saving Mothers - Guatemala

The School of POWHER was created to provide culturally appropriate as well as safe maternal health care to women in Mayan communities in the Lake Atitlan region. There are two methods of teaching, theoretical and experiential, used to deepen the knowledge of each student.

The recruitment process for comadronas (traditional birth attendants) occurs every November for the new class at the School of POWHER. The areas with the highest mortality and morbidity rates are taken into account. Information sessions are given to directors and comadronas of those areas on the curriculum, expectations for participation and Saving Mothers achievements of the previous year.

Saving Mothers has had a year filled with achievements:

• 472 supervised visits

• 94 high-risk patients identified in supervised visits

• 46 post-partum supervised visits

• 410 patients received prenatal vitamins

• 4 local health centers received vitamin donations

• 2 trainings given to older comadronas

• 2 communities where trainings have been completed

• 17 communities worked in

Recruitment for the Class of 2019 is currently happening and we cannot wait to see what Saving Mothers - Guatemala will achieve next!

Rockflower Launches Campaign for Phase Two of End Female Genital Mutilation and Keep Girls in School

Rockflower is launching this campaign to raise funds and awareness for phase two of the Rockflower and Society for the Improvement of Rural People project partnership to reduce the female genital mutilation (FGM) prevalence rate in the Akwuke community of Enugu State from 85% to 45% over a twelve month period. This will have a direct effect on keeping girls in school.

The goal for this fundraising campaign is to build on the success of SIRP's efforts to engage men and boys in the push to end Female Genital Mutilation and prevention of child marriage, thereby keeping girls in school.

We will raise $2,600 to cover the cost of training and sensitization for: 

• 10 traditional and religious leaders

• 15 family heads, elders and opinion leaders

• 15 teachers

• 15 Youth activists

The End Female Genital Mutilation and Keep Girls in School is being led by Youth Advisory Board member, Rex Ward.

“When I saw the project to End Female Genital Mutilation, I felt really compelled to be part of it. I have to be honest, I didn’t even know about female genital mutilation (FGM) or how widespread it was or how it affects girls ability to go to school. But then I read about Somto, a young lawyer in Nigeria, who was engaging with his friends and holding a soccer tournament to get men and boys to understand that they need to be advocates for these young girls, I realized I needed to join the effort. If these were my sisters, I would want someone to help me.”

— Rex Ward

SIRP's First Training Session

Society for Improvement of Rural People (SIRP) has begun their first training session of the End Female Genital Mutilation and Keep Girls in School project.

The training sessions focus on engaging with spiritual and community leaders in the Akwuke region to convey the importance of education for girls and the impact that female genital mutilation (FGM) can have on them mentally, physically and in their future economic development. These leaders can then analyze the affect their culture and traditions have on girls within the community.

Through training sessions like this one, our goal is to reduce the current FGM rates from 85% to 45% by the end of this 12 month project.  

Rockflower Partnership Aims to End Female Genital Mutilation in Rural Nigeria

Rockflower is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Society for the Improvement of Rural People (SIRP), an NGO devoted to providing voice and  service to the less privileged and vulnerable segments of the Nigerian society.

The partnership aims to provide support for a 12 month campaign in Akwuke, Enugu State to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) with a specific focus on keeping girls in school.

Based on research conducted by the Enugu State Ministry of Gender Affairs, Akwuke community scored an average of 81 – 85% in the prevalence rate of FGM practice in Enugu State. The "End Female Genital Mutiliation and Keep Girls in School" project aims to reduce this average to 45%.

Find out more about the End Female Genital Mutiliation and Keep Girls in School project.

Rockflower Funds Prenatal Health Services in Uganda

As part of the "S.O.U.L Foundation Project" partnership, Rockflower and the S.O.U.L Foundation completed a campaign that will provide prenatal healthcare services to women in Uganda. Prenatal services are targeted at preventing three common delays:

• The delay to seek care

• The delay to reach proper medical services, and

• The delay to access quality care

by expanding:

• Training in critical prenatal and postnatal care, financial and family planning, nutrition, breastfeeding, and positive health behaviors.

• Provision of maternal health classes and ultrasound screenings

• Administration of birthing kits and prenatal vitamins.

The campaign raised funds to provide prenatal healthcare services to 470 women.

Read more about the project on our "S.O.U.L. Foundation Project" partner page and check back for updates on the participants progress.

This Initiative was led by Rockflower Global Ambassadors Emily and Taylor Washburn. Congratulations to Emily and Taylor and the Rockflower / SO.U.L. Foundation team for completing this very successful campaign.

Rockflower Funds Training of Birth Attendants in Guatemala

As part of the "SAVING MOTHERS School of POWHER" partner project, Rockflower and Saving Mothers completed a campaign to support training  of traditional birth attendants (Comadrona) in the rural areas of Guatemala. Project funds will be used to provide training in:

• Clinical knowledge on prenatal care

• Basic obstetric practice, and

• Emergency management

Campaign funds will be used to train 25 Comadora. Each Comadrona has around a 25-year career. We estimate newly trained Comadrona can change the lives of 50,000 Guatemalan women over the next 25 years.

Read more about the project on our SAVING MOTHER School of POWHER" partner page and check back for updates on the participants progress.

This Initiative was led by Rockflower Youth Advisory Board members Hannah Delany and Isabella Ward. Congratulations to Hannah, Isabella, and the Rockflower / Saving Mothers team for completing this very successful campaign.

Rockflower Partners with S.O.U.L Foundation on Maternal Health Project

Rockflower is pleased to announce a new partnership with the S.O.U.L Foundation, a community-based organization in Uganda focused on education, women's empowerment, food security, and maternal health.

Rockflower's partnership with S.O.U.L will support the empowerment of women to deliver with dignity in rural Uganda.

Find out more about the S.O.U.L Foundation Project.