How can Internet Access aid in Promoting Girls’ Education and Ending Child Marriage in Malawi

Every child has the right to a safe and happy childhood, free from violence and discrimination. Yet, for millions of girls around the world, this right is denied by the practice of child marriage. UNICEF estimates that about 40 million girls are currently married or in a union before they turn 18. This exposes them to serious risks for their health, education, safety and well-being. Girls who marry early often face domestic abuse, early pregnancy, malnutrition, HIV infection, and death during childbirth. They also lose the chance to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

In Malawi, a country struggling with this issue where half of the girls are married before they turn 18, one woman has received global recognition for making a difference. Theresa Kachindamoto, who is a senior chief in the Dedza district in the central region of Malawi, has become a strong advocate for ending child marriages. As a paramount chief with informal authority over more than 900,000 people, she has used this authority to rescue almost 3,500 child brides and helped them restart their education.

She is known as the “Terminator” for her determination and courage but the chief still faces the challenge of changing deeply entrenched traditions and patriarchal cultures. Even though the law prohibits marriages with anyone under 18 since 2015, many communities still follow the ‘customary law’ that allows child marriage. They believe that it is in the best interest of girls and their families.?

Kachindamoto's ultimate goal is to change the mindset of people to prevent child marriages. “Changing attitudes and behaviors takes time, particularly with male chiefs and parents who benefit from child marriages. As we speak, parents are withdrawing their girls from schools. I tell them, if you educate your girl, you will have everything in the future,” says Kachindamoto. (iNews)

Her story is one of inspiration and action. She saw the suffering of young girls married to adult men in her district and decided to take action. She gathered 50 sub-chiefs and convinced them to sign an agreement to ban child marriage in their villages. She built an intelligence network of female informers referred to as 'the mothers' group to monitor any cases of child marriages in her district. She showed unwavering commitment by firing four sub-chiefs who did not comply to ban child marriages in their area. She has also worked to ensure Malawi’s parliament passed a bill in 2015 setting the minimum age for both sexes at 18, which gained her lots of international recognition

For Kachindamoto, education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering women. In her own words, “Education is very important because it gives you confidence… It makes you think… It makes you speak up… It makes you stand up.”

Child marriage continues because of harmful beliefs and norms, often driven by a lack of access to information and education for girls. The United Nations has declared the Decade of Action for Girls’ Education (2016-2030), with the goal of ending child marriage by 2030. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need to empower girls with life skills such as education, health, communication, decision-making, and leadership.

Internet access is a powerful tool in this fight, especially in regions like Africa. By giving girls the opportunity to learn, communicate, and participate in decision-making, we can make a big difference in ending child marriage. UNICEF suggests that internet access can help girls access information and services that improve their health, education, and empowerment. Digital adoption and use can offer women, and girls in particular, opportunities to overcome hurdles they may face in the physical world. Digital access can empower women and girls, help expand their sense of self in the world, increase civic engagement, and raise awareness of their rights.

Here are ways in which bridging the gender digital gap for women and girls and improving internet contribute towards ending the continued oppression of girls being forced into early marriages.

1. Online learning platformsOnline learning platforms offer quality education and training in essential life skills such as human rights, gender equality, sexual health, family planning, economic literacy, and civic engagement. For instance, UNICEF’s Digital Learning for Girls initiative provides online courses and resources to help girls develop their digital literacy and confidence.?
2. Awareness platformsThese raise awareness about child marriage and its harmful consequences among young people and communities. For example, UN Women has launched a campaign called Power on: How we can supercharge an equitable digital future which aims to educate girls and boys about the benefits of digital technology and how to use it responsibly. Another example is Girls Not Brides, which uses social media and online videos to challenge harmful norms and practices that perpetuate child marriage.
3. Support platformsOrganizations can offer support platforms to help girls pursue higher education or vocational training through scholarships and mentoring. For example, Plan International has a program called Bridging the digital gender divide, which provides girls with access to computers, the internet, digital skills training, scholarships, mentoring, and career guidance. ?Another example is Girls Who Code, which offers online courses and workshops to teach girls how to code and create apps.
4. Participation platformsThese enable girls to voice their opinions and participate in public debates on issues related to child marriage. For example, UNICEF Voices of Youth is a platform that allows young people from around the world to share their stories, ideas, and solutions on various topics affecting them.

By increasing internet access, we have the opportunity to empower girls to challenge norms and practices that perpetuate child marriage in Africa and beyond. This not only allows them to realize their full potential but also positions them to contribute significantly to the development of their families, communities, and countries. In the journey to end child marriage, Chief Kachindamoto's example serves as a reminder that individual actions can bring about transformative change, one annulled marriage at a time.

By Daniel Kibet

Digital Development Analyst - Women in Digital Transformation