Malawi – Zathu Girls & Boys Musical Project Builds Positive Gender Relations, Social Norms
Author: Administrator
Date: January 30, 2020
“Zathu: bringing boys and girls together, to forge a more equal Malawi”
Girl Effect launched Zathu in Malawi in an effort to tackle HIV and inspire behaviour change among adolescent girls and young women in Malawi through a branded approach. Using the power of music and storytelling, the nationwide initiative seeks to reach girls and boys aged 12-17 in an effort to:
- *Close the gender gap by uniting boys and girls and encouraging relationships that are based on friendship, rather than sexuality;
- *Encourage discussion about difficult topics such as sexual and reproductive (SRH); and
- *Challenge harmful stereotypes, help girls find the confidence for self-expression, and improve the perceived value of girls in the country (both among others and themselves).
Raising awareness and changing attitudes is just the first step; Zathu content looks to help girls and boys build confidence and skills, change perceptions of norms, and ultimately reinforce new empowered behaviours and choices.
According to Girl Effect, Malawi is steeped in inequality and gender divides. Rachel Sibande, chair of Girl Effect Malawi, explains: “From puberty, boys and girls in Malawi are largely kept apart. Platonic friendships are discouraged because the only relationship that society expects from them is a sexual one. Girls are told to avoid boys as it could be damaging for their reputation. This dynamic is not only unhealthy, but puts girls at risk. Despite these divisions, there is widespread desire among younger generations to be closer together. They believe that if girls and boys can support each other to reach their potential, it will create a stronger, thriving, more equal Malawi. Zathu is all about encouraging young people to see that we are stronger together.”
Negative social norms towards girls and women can have widespread health and economic implications. Malawi has more than double the rates of HIV in Rwanda (3%) and Ethiopia (1%) combined. A Malawian girl between 15 and 17 years old is more than 8 times more likely to be living with HIV than a boy of the same age.
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