By Cosmas Kaunga, ESCOM Outreach Officer
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited held a belated commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2024 on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Mlanda Girls Secondary School in Ntcheu.
The event, organized under the theme ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’, aimed to inspire girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and seize opportunities in engineering fields.
As part of the event, which is commemorated on October 11 annually, ESCOM donated an assortment of science books and laboratory equipment to the school.
Speaking at the event, guest of honour, Janet Mzumara, emphasized the importance of the theme, saying it serves as a powerful reminder that girls everywhere are not only the leaders of tomorrow but are also forces of change today.
The ESCOM Senior Engineer in Metering and Settlement highlighted the immense potential girls possess and the need for support to help them thrive.
“Let us take a moment to reflect on the tremendous progress we’ve made in advocating for girls’ rights—access to education, freedom from harmful practices, equal opportunities, and the recognition of their voices,” Mzumara said.
“However, we must acknowledge that the journey is far from over. While we’ve made great strides, the challenges girls face—locally and globally—remain significant, including poverty, child marriage, and gender-based violence.”
The guest of honour called on parents, teachers, community leaders, and corporate entities to play a role in empowering girls.
“ESCOM’s commitment to supporting girls’ education, particularly in STEM fields through scholarships, is an excellent example of how organizations can partner with communities to provide the necessary tools and opportunities for girls to shape their futures,” she said.
Earlier, Mlanda Girls Secondary School Headteacher, Mrs. Saka, thanked ESCOM for choosing her school to host the commemoration.
“The motivational speeches delivered today will go a long way in helping our girls align their career paths,” she said.
“Here at Mlanda School, we believe that girls have the potential to become leaders and contribute to the country’s economic growth.”
Kakunga, a Science Teacher at the school, said the institution offers mentorship activities to guide students in choosing science-related careers.
“We also encourage our learners to participate in science fairs at the national level, where they can showcase their innovation and creativity. In 2023, we developed an incubation innovation that won first place at the national science fair,” he said.
Youthful female ESCOM engineers, Tamandani Zinyawo and Bertha Kamgunda, who benefited from ESCOM Scholarships, delivered inspiring presentations to encourage the girls to develop self-confidence.
Kamgunda urged the students to overcome self-doubt, saying, “You must believe in yourself and fight any doubts that may arise. Girls are just as capable of achieving greatness as boys are.”
Zinyawo shared how the scholarship had helped her attain her education with ease.
“Thanks to the ESCOM Scholarship, I didn’t have to worry about school fees or upkeep allowances, as ESCOM covered all of these costs, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies. What makes the ESCOM Scholarship unique is that after graduation, the Corporation offers you a job. I am thrilled to be working with ESCOM now that I’ve graduated,” she said.
On behalf of the students, Fatsani Chibwana, the Head Girl, expressed gratitude for ESCOM’s generous donation.
“In the past, we’ve struggled with inadequate resources, including books. Your donation will go a long way in helping us excel. The career talk we’ve received today has inspired us and broadened our horizons. We now feel confident that we can succeed in engineering and related fields,” she said.
Rev. Baziwel Banda, the Education Secretary for the Nkhoma Synod, expressed gratitude to ESCOM for choosing Mlanda to host the belated commemoration.
“We are deeply indebted to ESCOM for selecting our school among many others in Malawi for this important event,” he said.
The event was a significant step in encouraging young girls to pursue careers in STEM and recognize their potential to shape the future.
