Canadian Deputy Minister of International Development, Ms Diane Jacovella appreciated the positive impact that the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) GIRLS Inspire project is having on the women and girls being trained in Nacala Porto, Nampula Province of Mozambique. The Deputy Minister visited the Province recently to see firsthand the barriers being experienced by these learners which includes child, early and forced marriage (CEFM).

During a tour of project partners, the Deputy Minister had the opportunity to meet with women and girls undergoing training in a variety of vocational courses and attended a presentation on the plight of the girl child and the root causes of CEFM. Ms Jacovella noted that the interventions by the GIRLS Inspire project had contributed to changing the lives of these women and girls and empowered them to have a voice within their communities.

With funding for this project from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, COL is using open and distance learning and technology to support the schooling and skills training of vulnerable girls and women in Mozambique. Canada’s international advocacy efforts to prevent CEFM are drawing attention to this major challenge.