Ministry of Education chief education officer for basic education Liznet Daka has challenged authorities in Nkhata Bay District to protect girls from gender-based violence.

She said this during an open day on Tuesday at St Maria Goretti Primary School in the district Children perform drama during the open day.

“Cultural beliefs the main challenge affecting girls’ education it says that girls are destined for marriage and not the classroom,” said Daka.

She said her sector is empowering communities through school governing bodies to put in place mechanisms to counter such beliefs.

Nkhata Bay district director of education, youth and sports, Muhabi Chivunga, said,” We protect girls from GBV and we need to meet community members, traditional leaders and duty-bearers to discuss the issue.”

Chivunga said sometimes girls face abuse as they seek for basic needs, including school learning materials.

“Therefore, the ministry has donated textbooks, markers, balls and other items to be distributed to needy students,” he said.

Kalambwe Primary School head teacher Florida Ndindi said,”Girls face many challenges and they engage themselves in sexual relationships due to lack of guidance from their parents or lack of role models.”

During the open day, the ministry paraded female police and immigration officers as role models, and the event was organised by Unicef and involved six schools from St Maria Goretti Zone.