Every year on October 11th, Plan Malawi marks the International Day of the Girl (IDG). As part of IDG commemorations, Plan Malawi organises Girls Takeover to highlight girls as leaders and decision-makers, showcasing their ability to challenge stereotypes and lead confidently.
This year, under the Girls’ Leadership theme, Plan Malawi partnered with various organisations to amplify girls’ voices nationwide. Below is an overview of the Girls Takeover, held during the 2024 IDG.
Faith and Christina takeover the Chief Justice’s office
Fifteen-year-old Faith and 16-year-old Christina, took over the Chief Justice’s office to learn about the judiciary. The 2 girls advocated for mobile justice clinics in Mulanje to ensure that girls have easier access to justice. Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda praised their passion and agreed with the girls that mobile justice clinics could help close the justice gap in rural areas.
“Your advocacy for mobile justice clinics is both timely and commendable. Ensuring access to justice, particularly for young women and girls in rural communities, aligns with our efforts to promote equality before the law,” the Chief Justice told the girls.
“Your advocacy for mobile justice clinics is both timely and commendable. Ensuring access to justice, particularly for young women and girls in rural communities, aligns with our efforts to promote equality before the law.”
Honorable Rezine Mzikamanda, SC, Chief Justice-Malawi
A day in the life of a University Vice Chancellor
Funny, 21, and Margaret, 19, served as Vice Chancellors for the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). They toured the campus, learning about the institution’s commitment to supporting underprivileged students through its programmes and initiatives.
The 2 encouraged management to expand outreach efforts to raise awareness about the university and its scholarships in rural areas. Agreeing with the girls, Dr. Marion Chirwa Kajombo, a department head, said that the university will enhance rural engagement to inform students about opportunities available at the college.
Dr. Chirwa Kajombo said she was also amazed by the girls ideas and thoughts. “Their energy and fresh perspectives are incredibly inspiring. The insights shared by these young leaders reaffirmed our commitment to expanding our university’s outreach to rural community,” she said.
“Their energy and fresh perspectives are incredibly inspiring. The insights shared by these young leaders reaffirmed our commitment to expanding our University’s outreach to rural communities.”
Dr. Marion Chirwa Kajombo, Head of Language and Communication Studies-MUST
Taking over the Inspector General of Police’s office
Nine-year-olds Chiyambi and Michelle stepped into the role of Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, gaining insight into the challenges and responsibilities of law enforcement. After interacting with the Inspector General, the girls chaired a meeting with department heads. Taking advantage of the space, Chiyambi and Michelle advocated for funding to be allocated to the Victim Support Unit, which deals with issues affecting girls and women.
Responding to the girls’ concerns, the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, Mrs Merlyne Yolamu said it was inspiring to see young voices advocating for important issues that impact their communities. “I value your concerns and take them seriously. I encourage you to keep advocating for change. Your voices are important, and I look forward to hearing from you again,” she concluded.
“I value your concerns and take them seriously. I encourage you to keep advocating for change. Your voices are important, and I look forward to hearing from you again.”
Mrs Merlyne Yolamu, Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service
Stepping into top diplomatic role
Fourteen-year-olds Harriet and Frankline, along with 12-year-old Fatuma, stepped into a diplomatic role by taking over the British High Commissioner’s office. These young advocates underscored the importance of girls’ education, especially for those affected by conflicts.
The British High Commissioner to Malawi, Ms. Fiona Ritchie, praised their advocacy for inclusive education, specifically their focus on the Dzaleka refugee camp. She emphasised that access to quality education is a fundamental right.
“Your input during the staff meeting sparked valuable discussions on improving our efforts in the education sector. I encourage you to keep advocating for these critical issues; your voices truly matter,” she added.
“Your input during the staff meeting sparked valuable discussions on improving our efforts in the education sector. I encourage you to keep advocating for these critical issues; your voices truly matter.”
Ms Fiona Ritchie, British High Commissioner to Malawi
A glimpse into development work
Sixteen-year-old Selah and 14-year-old Hajra stepped into the roles of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative. During their visit, they learned about various UNDP projects, and posed insightful questions from a girl’s perspective. The girls encouraged the UNDP programmes team to actively involve girls and young women in their energy and environment campaigns.
The UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Fenella Frost, commended the girls for being confident to takeover the roles and challenge office holders to give rural communities more attention. “Your ideas and suggestions to engage girls and young women in our projects, align with our goal of creating inclusive solutions that empower everyone,” Frost said.
“Your ideas and suggestions to engage girls and young women in our projects, align with our goal of creating inclusive solutions that empower everyone.”
Ms. Fenella Frost, UNDP Resident Representative
Managing development: A look into policy financing
Peace, 15, Chifuniro, 14, and Beatrice, 14, took over the role of World Bank Malawi Country Manager, engaging in meaningful discussions. They discussed the organisation’s support for special needs and inclusive education and later, Peace chaired the Malawi Education Reform management briefing.
The 3 girls urged World Bank to ensure that girls with disabilities are supported to access quality education.
Firas Raad, World Bank Malawi Country Manager, assured them that the Bank is targeting girls with disabilities through various education projects in Malawi. He agreed that World Bank should do more for girls in rural communities.
“I am especially pleased with the productive meeting led by Peace on the Malawi Education Reform Programme. Let’s continue working towards our shared goals and explore innovative strategies to strengthen our support for education initiatives in Malawi,” Raad said.
“I am especially pleased with the productive meeting led by Peace on the Malawi Education Reform Programme. Let’s continue working towards our shared goals and explore innovative strategies to strengthen our support for education initiatives in Malawi.”
Firas Raad,World Bank Malawi Country Manager
Being Mzuzu University Deputy Vice Chancellor
Alinafe, 17, and Monica, 11, took over the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor at Mzuzu University (MZUNI). The 2 were joined by 4 girls from Plan Malawi’s impact area in rural Mzimba. During their takeover, the girls urged the Deputy Vice Chancellor to allocate more resources to support female students who may be struggling academically.
While giving the girls a tour, Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Wapulumuka Mulwafu said the University has always been a safe and supportive environment for all students. He also mentioned that the college offers several scholarships targeting girls from disadvantaged households. However, he agreed with the girls that universities must do more to ensure that girls stay in school. The Deputy Vice Chancellor urged the girls to strive for excellence, stressing that their backgrounds should not hinder their success, and encouraged them to join MZUNI.
“Your potential is defined by your effort, not your background. Every challenge is a chance to grow and achieve greatness. Stay determined, believe in yourself, and never doubt the power of your dreams,” Professor Mulwafu told the girls.
“Your potential is defined by your effort, not your background. Every challenge is a chance to grow and achieve greatness. Stay determined, believe in yourself, and never doubt the power of your dreams”
Professor Wapulumuka Mulwafu, Deputy Vice Chancellor-Mzuzu University
Girls Takeover: Parliament edition
Fifteen child parliamentarians took over Parliament to discuss issues affecting them. The Parliament takeover deliberations focused on unifying the legal definition of a child in Malawi, to improve the delivery of child justice and protection.
Alongside the Women’s Caucus and the Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs, the girls’ emphasis was on aligning the definition of a child with the Malawi Constitution and international standards.
The girls pointed out that different definitions of a child in Malawian laws cause inconsistencies in applying child justice and protection. They highlighted that the Malawi Constitution (1994) defines a child as anyone under 18, while the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act (2010) defines a child as anyone under 16. Additionally, the Employment Act (1999) doesn’t define a child but bans child labour for those under 14, with no clear protection for those under 18.
During the takeover, the girls shared with Parliament how these inconsistencies affect them, emphasising that harmonising the definition of a child is required.
After deliberations, the girls secured commitments from Members of Parliament through parliamentary committees to support the harmonisation of the definition of the age of a child in Malawi.
Making commitments on behalf of the Social and Community Affairs Committee, Hon. Savel Kafwafwa, MP, told the girls that, “We will work diligently to align our legal definitions of a child with international standards. Every girl has the right to be heard, and we must ensure that our laws reflect a consistent and protective framework for all children in Malawi.”
On her part, the Parliamentary Women Caucus, Vice Chairperson Hon. Rachel Zulu, MP, committed to support what the girls were advocating for. She said, “Today we stand with the voices of our future leaders, the girls of Malawi. We commit to prioritising the harmonisation of laws that define who a child is, ensuring every child receives the protection they deserve under the law.”
“We will work diligently to align our legal definitions of a child with international standards. Every girl has the right to be heard, and we must ensure that our laws reflect a consistent and protective framework for all children in Malawi.”
Hon. Savel Kafwafwa, MP, Chairperson-Parliamentary Committee, Social and Community Affairs
The girls who participated in the takeovers expressed their excitement, describing the Girls Takeover initiative as an eye-opening experience. They said that, beyond feeling inspired, it gave them the confidence to step into leadership and challenge norms.
Faith from Mulanje took over the Judiciary and she said “Participating in the Girls Takeover gave me a voice I never thought I had. It was empowering to step into a leadership role and make decisions that affect our future.”
Alinafe from Mzuzu, after taking over Mzuzu University said, “This was my first exposure to leadership. From the Takeover I have gained the confidence to speak up.”
After taking over World Bank in Lilongwe, Peace said, “Today I learned that girls can change the world. Together, we take the lead, turning dreams into action and making our voices heard. This takeover is just the beginning.”
“This was my first exposure to leadership. From the Takeover I have gained the confidence to speak up.”
Alinafe, Mzuzu
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