Malawians have been sharing photos on social media of female MPs dressed up as schoolgirls - some delighting in their outfits others unimpressed by the stunt.

The country’s 193-member parliament usually has a strict dress code, but it was relaxed on Tuesday for the chamber’s 43 female politicians.

MP Gotani Hara said the gesture was meant to send a strong message to girls from successful career women that “with hard work, everything is possible”.

Studies show that up to 15% of Malawian girls drop out of school before finishing primary education - this is put down to a range of reasons including poverty, pregnancy or being forced into marriage.

Some people found humour in how the politicians were dressed, one even carried fried maize in a plastic bottle typical of snacks that children, particularly in rural areas, take to school.

An MP dressed up as a schoolgirl in Malawi with a bag printed with the words: "Give me books not a husband"

But others were critical saying more action should be taken to help girls actually stay at school.