In Zambia, the Chibombo district faces extreme poverty, thus, it has resulted in many young girls becoming vulnerable, unable to go to school and instead, they become victims of girl-child related abuse (emotional, physical, sexual or neglect).
Other barriers identified include:
- Experiencing harmful cultural practices (belief that girls should not be educated, leading to their involvement in intensive child labour activities, early child marriages/pregnancies and exploitation). 29% of girls are married before the age of 18, and 5% before the age of 15.
- Facing extreme poverty at home – lack of finance for education (textbooks, uniforms, stationary as well as basic clothing), as the priority is survival!
- Experiencing extreme hunger leading to malnutrition disorder.
- Having limited access to basic healthcare services and sanitary products.
- Being affected by HIV/AIDS and other conditions.
- Living in child-led homes due to being orphaned or having no other relatives/care givers to support them.
- Having no legal registration documentation.
- Schools being situated very far away from their areas of living – thus, long distances are required to travel to school every day.
Our holistic support that we will be offering to our beneficiaries in Zambia will include us removing all of the barriers stated above, allowing our S.H.E girls to be able to live ‘normal’ lives and be able to go to school on a daily basis – as we believe that they have the right to an education and access to all of their basic needs!