By Staff Writer, Lusaka
The Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka is pondering on supporting 'Keeping Girls in School' (KGS) initiative after meeting girls from a village outside Mafinga Town.
The embassy states that the girls go to secondary school and are part of the social cash + initiative 'Keeping Girls in School' supported by the World Bank.
“Girls from the poorest and most vulnerable
households under the social cash transfer programme get their school fees paid. This is piloted in 16 districts in
Zambia, so far with good results.
“The girls told us that several of their friends 'got married
off” before the programme started. Zambia has very high
level of child marriage and teenage pregnancies. When we
asked the girls when they plan to get married they all loudly
screamed; 'No, we will not get married! We are going to
finish school!'. They told us that their future dreams are to
become doctors, nurses and teachers. It is widely known
that investment in girl’s education has great impact not only
on the individual but also for greater society.”
The Embassy of Sweden has since started looking into the possibility of supporting this initiative as part of the social protection
portfolio.
“We wish all the girls the best of luck with their studies!” the embassy states.
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