The education sector in Malawi continues to face challenges with gender inequality, with fewer female students enrolling in school than their male counterparts, according to the 2025 Malawi Annual Economic Report.
The report shows that female enrolment is higher in primary schools, declines in secondary schools, and is very low in tertiary education. In 2024, 16,543 female students were enrolled in public universities compared to 24,485 male students.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) in primary education reached 1.04 in favour of girls, exceeding the National Education Sector Implementation Plan target of 1.02.
In secondary schools, the GPI has steadily improved from 0.94 in 2020 to 0.99 in 2024, although it still falls short of the 2025 target of 1.1. Pregnancy was a significant factor in female dropouts, affecting 3,092 girls. Cultural pressures, particularly marriage, were also cited, with 2,491 girls leaving school for this reason.
Commenting on the issue, Executive Director of Youth Net and Counselling, McBain Mkandawire, mentioned inadequate investment in young people and the adoption of foreign solutions that are not culturally relevant.
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“We are not addressing the real issues affecting girls’ education because measures from countries like the United States are sometimes adopted without considering local cultural context.
“There is a need to develop our own solutions and focus on the economic barriers affecting girls. We need integrated approaches, including skills training to help them generate income,” Mkandawire said.
In a separate interview, Women’s Legal Resources Centre Executive Director Maggie Kathewera Banda cited lack of resources and long distances to secondary schools as factors discouraging female learners.
Kathewera Banda suggested more scholarships and bursaries, mentorship sessions and additional boarding facilities to help girls stay in school.
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“While most primary schools are nearby, secondary schools are not. Some girls walk 10 kilometres to school and 10 kilometres back every day, while also undertaking household chores such as cooking and collecting water. This affects their performance and discourages them from continuing their education,” she said.
The government is currently implementing free public primary and secondary education to help reduce dropout rates and improve access to learning.
