CSTL Sharing Meeting 2015 Psychosocial & Material Support : Mother Groups Programme Southern Sun Cape Sun– Cape Town, South Africa November 2015 Virginia Kachigunda MALAWI

Presentation Outline  A description of the programme or policy  Achievements  Challenges  Opportunities/Emerging Issues  Key lessons learnt

Rationale for mother groups Related attributes between mother and daughterhave found to play a significant role in the girls child social well-being Studies reveals that closeness between mother and daughters makes the mother to have greater influence on daughters than fathers have. Mothers in most cases, are the ones that burden daughters with house hold chores, farm activities and other roles

Rationale for Mother Group Cont’d Majority of mothers like to talk about marriages, babies and entice daughters with such things. Mothers are always worried about vulnerability of daughters. Mothers wish their daughters a better life than themselves. Mothers are analytical in assessing possible situations of harassment and hygiene issues and needs of girls. Mothers are at pain when children are mistreated by fellow pupils, teachers at school and even fathers or relatives in families and the communities

Mother Group Programme

Composition of Mother Groups A mother group should consists of fourteen to fifteen members, female and male as follows: 1.Ten (10) mothers who form main committee 2.One (1) village headman from the villages that feed into the school 3.One (1) School Management (SMC) chairperson 4.One (1) Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) chairperson and 5.The Head Teacher of the School 6.Patron/Matron for girls’ club

Composition cont’d The Village Head, SMC, PTA and Head Teacher are included to, appreciate and support the roles and responsibilities of the mothers in order to avoid conflicts with the already existing and functional decision making structures.

Characteristics of a Good Member of a Mother Group These characteristics would are used as criteria for selecting members of mother groups. Have an interest in education Willingness to work voluntarily Command of respect in the society Friendly Empathetic Good communicator and good listener Good interpersonal relationship Approachable and interactive Morally upright Positive role model

Selection of Mother Group Members All community members including parents, children, teachers are involved in the selection of mother group members in a transparent manner. The mother group have equal representation of members from the villages that feed the school. Upon completion of tenure of office, old office bearers including the head teacher should train and share experiences with the new office bearers. The member of a mother group will be in the office for three(3) years. (Membership can be renewed upon good performance)

TORS For Mother Groups The Executive committee members mother group shall be composed of only those women who can read and write(chairlady, treasurer and secretary). The executive committee shall have a three year term of office, and should serve a maximum of two terms only Members shall come from all villages within the schools catchment area. Members shall be influential women from the community and should possess good counselling skills

TORs cont’d Members shall conduct income generating activities for the group Members shall express the spirit of parental care Members shall create a conducive environment for girls education both at school and home Members shall act as role models in their community Members shall promote and participate in all school development activities

TORs Cont’d Members shall sensitize the communities on the harmful cultural behaviour on girls’ education Members shall meet at least once a fortnight to discuss issues affecting their work in their work in their catchment area Members shall submit their reports and minutes of meetings to the head teachers of the responsible schools who form part of the mother groups who in turn report to the PEA

TORs Cont’d Mother group members are accountable to the school committees, PTA, SMC and learners Mother group members shall formulate their by-laws which will guide their operations which are endorsed and enforced by the traditional leaders Mother groups should know the teacher’s Code of Conduct so that they are able to assist in building good relationship between pupils and teachers.

Achievements Children especially girls are receiving regular psychosocial and material support eg uniforms, menstrual pads, zitenje when soiled with menses etc. The capacity building skills helps the MG offer skilled guidance, mentoring and counseling. OVCs have mother figures within their locality who have special interest in them The MGs have empowered women and are realizing their full potentials and use them effectively –some have leant tailoring, received sawing machine and are sawing menstrual reusable pads for girls and women in the rural community MGs are facilitating the unfolding of the Re-admission Policy MGs are key in child protection initiatives at school level.

Challenges  Lack of funds to continue with refresher trainings to accommodate emerging issues; thanks to CSTL for the training for 15 schools  Lack of systematised rewards/incentives to motivate the MGs  Inadequate resources to invest in the MGs eg sawing machines for  Sometimes they don’t get immediate support after reporting abuse

Opportunities/Emerging Issues  Commitment from the Mothers themselves  Support from partners  More recognition from society making the women  Gradual change of mindset, now leaning towards value for education than filling the mind of girls with ways on how to satisfy a husband  It is an Empowering tool for the women, they are now exposed to various forums like the CSTL arranged training held at a Protea Hotel in Blantyre, they felt special

Key Lessons Learnt  There is undeniable power from women to influence change on girls education, the less we utilize this power, the more we delay with progress  Girls are listening to the MGs, they are getting re-admitted to school after dropping out through the effort of MGs – MGs are the force behind the Re-Admission Policy  MGs are mobilizing material support for OVCs eg school uniforms, food for child headed households, menstrual pads  MGs are initiating justice for the abused children

Comments and Questions from the Floor & Other Panellists.