Adolescent girls and young women
from Mulanje district have acknowledged a number of social-economic empowerment benefits which they are realizing through sewing machines which they received under the Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Project mid last year.
One Peer Educator from the area of Group Village Head (GVH) Mbiza in the district expressed her
contentment with the sewing machines they received. In her remarks, the Peer Educator explained that the girls and young women were initially trained in making hand sewn re-suable sanitary pads.
“With these sewing machines, we are now able to produce more and quality re-usable sanitary pads,” she explained.
Other girls also echoed what the Peer Educator said and added that they are also utilizing the sewing
machines to make clothes for people in their designated communities.
In the end, the girls generate some income. Thus, money or other material needs cannot sway them to
have sex with men as they are able to meet their needs.
Comprehensive Action for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Project is funded by the Global
Fund through Action Aid and Christian Aid. In Mulanje district, YONECO is implementing the project in
partnership with Malawi Guides Association (MAGGA).
The goal of the project is to reduce HIV Incidences among adolescent girls and young women who are
within the age range of 15 to 24.
