On Saturday, October 12, 2024, Tingathe, in collaboration with Miracle Foundation, commemorated the International Day of the Girl at Muzu Primary School in Lilongwe. We held a morning session followed by a Mpira Upite Bonanza football match, featuring female footballers from Lingadzi Academy and Miracle Foundation FC.

During the morning session, we focused on raising awareness about gender inequality and promoting girls’ empowerment. Led by our Guest Speaker, Memory Ngwira, we acknowledged the unique challenges girls face due to both their age and gender. We addressed issues of discrimination and the barriers girls encounter as they pursue their dreams. It was an inspiring session, as the girls shared their aspirations; some dream of becoming lawyers, doctors, professional footballers, police officers, and more. This highlighted that, if we support our girls, we will have great women in the years to come who will lead our country forward because girls with dreams become women with vision.

In the afternoon, we gathered at the Muzu Primary School Ground for the Mpira Upite Bonanza between Lingadzi Academy and Miracle Foundation FC. The match ended in favour of Lingadzi Academy, who defeated Miracle Foundation FC by 2 goals to zero. The first goal came in the first half through a penalty, while the second was scored from a counterattack in the second half. At the end of the match, Tingathe awarded the winners with a ball, and the losing team received school materials such as pens, encouraging them to work hard and pursue their dreams through education.

The International Day of the Girl is an annual celebration dedicated to raising awareness about gender inequality and promoting the empowerment of girls worldwide. This year the day has been commemorated under the theme, Girls’ Vision for the Future, which stresses the urgent need for action and amplifies the aspirations of young girls.