Lazarus Chakwera earns UN praise for signing bill
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh has hailed President Lazarus Chakwera for assenting to the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill.
The new law has provisions that provide for stringent jail sentences for sexual offences related to minors.
The new law also redefines a child as a person under the age of 18 from 16 years and that any male person who has sexual intercourse with a girl-child shall be liable to life imprisonment
Adda-Donto hailed Chakwera in Mzimba District Tuesday during a field visit to appreciate progress made on implementation of the UN-led Spotlight Initiative.
The coordinator, who was in the company of heads of agencies that are helping in the implementation of the European Union-funded project, said governments need to have pieces of legislation that safeguard the rights of children and women.
“So, if you have a government that ensures that favourable policy and legislative frameworks are in place, and ensures that they are in force to protect girls and boys, I think that is worth appreciating,” she said.
M’mbelwa District Council Director of Education, Youth and Sports Fiddes Msowoya said they were ready to ensure that the rights of vulnerable groups in society are protected.
The Spotlight Initiative is being implemented in six districts in Malawi with the aim of eliminating all forms of violence by 2030.
