Creative Centre for Community Mobilization (CRECCOM) is a non-governmental organization based in the Zomba district of Malawi. The organization’s mission is to motivate, mobilize, and empower communities through grassroots development initiatives. To this end, CRECCOM leads a number of programs which focus on issues like gender equality, public health, climate change, and equitable education access.
Malawi currently has the largest population of adolescent girls in the country’s history, representing immense promise. However, there are many social, cultural, and economic barriers preventing these girls from realizing their full potential. While 90 percent of girls are enrolled in primary school—in large part due to the country’s universal education policy— most do not progress to secondary school. Specifically, only 15 percent of girls in Malawi are enrolled in secondary school, presenting a large gap that requires change. Recognizing the intersection between these issues and other challenges in Malawi, CRECCOM’s initiatives include programs focused on girls’ education and ending child marriage.
The Girls Opportunity Alliance will support CRECCOM’s “Improving Girls Education in Marginalized Communities of Malawi” project. The project will promote access to secondary school education for girls who are particularly vulnerable to dropping out, including teenage mothers and those from low-income families. CRECCOM will offer support groups for young mothers, educational workshops,and a comprehensive mentorship program. Teachers and mentors will be trained through a gender-responsive model that recognizes the unique needs and vulnerabilities of adolescent girls. Additionally, CRECCOM will work with local leaders, including tribal chiefs and local development committees, to challenge social attitudes and norms regarding girls’ education and early marriages.
Through this project, CRECCOM will expand support and mobilize resources for girls’ access to education. As a result, girls in Malawi will have greater opportunities to pursue their dreams and create positive changes in their families and communities. As a long-term vision, CRECCOM hopes to inspire these girls to become leaders at the local, national, and global levels, transforming their communities and the world. To learn more about CRECCOM, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
See more projects: Africa, Southern Africa, Child Marriage, Education, Leadership & Life Skills Development