Having grown up in a rural area, I understand the barriers that girls experience on a daily basis. I am a survivor of school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), and narrowly avoided early marriage. This triggered in me the passion to address these issues head on through activism and by telling my story.
I am not alone: many African girls drop out or do not enroll in school due to poverty levels, HIV/AIDS, and child marriage. In Zambia, 31% of girls are married by 18. 61% of school children reported being bullied in the previous month (Fleming and Jacobsen, 2010).
Through support from CAMFED - Campaign for Female Education, I have joined together with 119,966 young women, Camfed alumnae known as CAMA members, across rural Africa, including Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. All of us are champions and leaders, working to multiply the momentum for girls’ education in Africa.