Lilongwe, MALAWI — For Tiwonge Wilson, mentoring young girls is more than just a role, it is an opportunity to help shape brighter futures.
Tiwonge is a mentor in the UNFPA-supported Technology and Empowerment Enhancing Networks in Safe Spaces (TEENS) programme, funded by the Government of Ireland. Through a safe space, she guides a group of about 30 adolescent girls and young women, helping them build skills, confidence, and knowledge that can support them in their daily lives.
At the safe space, mentors and mentees meet regularly for interactive sessions that provide life skills training, access to information, and peer support. These gatherings create an environment where girls can learn from one another, strengthen their abilities, and make informed decisions about their futures.
A key feature of the programme is access to digital tools such as tablets and mobile phones, which participants use to learn new skills and expand their knowledge.
Says Tiwonge:
The mentorship programme has benefited me, especially through digital learning. I have learned hairdressing and salon skills by watching YouTube
She now shares these skills with her mentees during practical mentorship sessions, where they learn and practise different hairstyling techniques. Some of the girls are already putting these skills to use to earn an income and support their personal needs.
“I can now earn money for myself, and my mentees are also benefiting. For example, some are able to buy school materials such as notebooks,” she explains.
The digital tools are also helping girls improve their education. Through online resources, mentees can access study notes, past examination papers, and other learning materials.
“One of my mentees used digital tools to access learning materials and later passed her secondary school examinations,” Tiwonge proudly recalls.
Beyond skills development and education, the safe space serves as an important platform for protection and support. Mentors help identify and refer cases that require intervention. In one case, a report of child marriage was referred through the programme to a Male Champion, triggering follow-up action that ultimately helped the girl return home.
“The case was reported and followed up through the appropriate channels,” she says.
Through mentorship, digital learning opportunities, and referral services, the safe space continues to empower adolescent girls and young women with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to thrive.
Tiwonge’s experience highlights the impact of safe spaces in creating opportunities for girls to learn, earn an income, stay in school, and access the services and support they need to reach their full potential.
