Supporting girls' education through film

© Fernando Gregory Milanvia 123RF

Speaking at the launch in Lusaka, deputy British High Commissioner to Zambia, Andrew Hamilton, said: ‘‘Tomorrow, 11 October, countries around the world will be celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child. I am delighted that the UK government is working in partnership with the Government of Zambia, the UN, Civil Society organisations and most importantly girls themselves to raise awareness about the challenges girls face in accessing education in Zambia.’’

‘‘The UK is committed to stepping up its engagement with adolescent girls, challenging social norms, behaviours and attitudes that limit girls’ development, and amplifying the voices of girls who want to see a brighter future for all Zambians.

“We are doing this through an array of programmes such as the Adolescent Girls Empowerment Programme, Ending Child Marriage and other programmes to promote gender equality in Zambia by empowering women and girls and reducing violence against them.’’

Adebayo Akindeinde, programme director ZAP, added that the UK is committed to stepping up its engagement with adolescent girls, challenging social norms, behaviours and attitudes that limit girls’ development.

Nyamuka Moye! - which translates to “Arise Young Woman!”, is a second film after the success of the Mothering Zambia documentary, which focused on women in representation in politics and decision making positions.

On Tuesday, 10 October 2017, ZAP premiered this film in commemoration of International Day of the Girl (IDG). The film sets out the need for supporting girls with bursaries, achievements of beneficiaries and the importance of support networks in increasing access to and retention of girls in education. The role of teachers in providing mentorship is highlighted.

The support through bursaries has resulted in girls accessing secondary education in all nine provinces across the country, with the exception of Lusaka province.

The Nyamuka Moye premiere event was attended by the deputy British High Commissioner to Zambia, country director British Council Zambia, policymakers, education focussed civil society organisations and stakeholders. The full documentary will be aired on ZNBC on 11 October 2017 on the International Day of the Girl.

Funded by the UK’s Department for International Development, ZAP has been providing grants to two education-focused civil society organisations (CSOs): Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) and Campaign for Female Education (Camfed), with the aim of improving access and retention to secondary and tertiary education for young people, particularly girls from rural areas. ZAP also supports education policy advocacy work of Restless Development, World Vision International and the umbrella body, Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC).