Zambia: Teachers Taking a Stand Against School-Related Gender-Based Violence in Zambia

CHINSALI DISTRICT, Zambia – An empty desk in a classroom can easily go unnoticed. But for Mr. Friday Nkonde, Head Teacher at Tongotongo Secondary School in Chinsali District, it told a story that could not be ignored. A student who had diligently attended class had suddenly stopped coming to school. Determined to find out why, Mr. Nkonde traced her whereabouts and uncovered a heartbreaking reality: the young girl had been forced into marriage.

For Mr. Nkonde, the incident was a turning point. It…