Unequal struggle

AS part of our transition year course at St Mary’s, Charleville, Co Cork, our class is campaigning to raise awareness of gender inequality in Malawi.

Women there are under-represented at political, policy and decision-making levels. This is due to a culture which generally assigns leadership roles to men and is partly due to little education for girls. There is limited access to education and other basic services for women. Two-thirds of children who do not attend schools are girls. Many of them are at home doing housework and looking after younger siblings.

Many young girls are already married themselves. We hope to make as many people aware of this issue as possible.

Maria Walsh Frances O’Shea

St Mary’s Secondary School

Smith’s Road

Charleville

Co Cork