YONECO organised an engagement session with members of Ngoya Mother Group in Chitipa district to develop strategies for promoting positive parenting in a bid to reduce teenage pregnancies and child marriages in the area.
The session enabled both parties to share experiences, challenges, and best practices in guiding children, particularly adolescent girls, towards making safe and responsible choices.
Members of the Ngoya Mother Group have been actively addressing issues of sanitary health, a challenge that often contributes to absenteeism among girls in schools. In a practical demonstration of their commitment, the women have been sewing sanitary pads for their adolescent girls to ensure that young girls can attend school regularly and remain focused on their education.
During the session, participants discussed ways to strengthen parent-child communication, community awareness, and mentorship. The members agreed to raise awareness of parental involvement as critical in shaping the future of young people.
“There is a need to emphasise the importance of sustained support and collaboration between parents, schools, and local authorities to create a protective environment for children,” explained Mercy Munkhondia, a member of the Ngoya Mother Group.
