From Harm to Hope: Safer Initiation Practices in Malawi
In the colorful village of Thyolo, 64-year-old Triza Selemani Mwinyima, a former nankungwi (elder woman responsible for guiding girls through initiation), sits beside a green fence, surrounded by a group eager to learn.
In Malawi, as in many parts of the world, initiation ceremonies are traditional rites of passage that mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. These practices are deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and vary by region and ethnic group. Often held in rural communities, they involve a period of seclusion where adolescents are taught life skills and societal expectations.
Made a change
For years, Thyolo led ceremonies that prepared girls for womanhood, teachings that included early sexual initiation, household duties, and submission to men.
Triza began to question some of the aspects of the ceremonies after she joined the N’zatonse Triza Malilo training, offered by NCA’s partner, the Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission (BSHDC).
“I saw that some of the initiation practices were not only harmful, but also held back our children,” she says.
Through the training, she learned about human rights, reproductive health, and positive guidance for youth. She realised that education and empowerment could replace outdated rituals, giving young people a better chance to thrive.
Seeing results
Today, Triza is transforming initiation ceremonies in Thyolo. Instead of promoting early motherhood or submission, she teaches messages rooted in the Bible and modern reproductive health education. She encourages girls to stay in school and make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.
“We are seeing more girls staying in school and dreaming of becoming teachers and leaders,” she says proudly.
The results speak for themselves. Young girls in Thyolo are avoiding early pregnancies, staying in school longer, and aspiring to become leaders in their communities.
Triza’s story shows that positive change is possible when tradition meets knowledge. By replacing harmful rites with empowering messages, she is helping shape a generation of confident, educated, and hopeful youth.
This work is part of the DCA–NCA Joint Country Programme in Malawi, which promotes sexual and reproductive health rights for young people.
The initiative is funded by the German government through KfW and implemented through a consortium led by Population Services International (PSI), ACT Alliance (DanChurchAid and Norwegian Church Aid), the Ministry of Health, and the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM).
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