By Emmanuel Chilemba
The Non- Governmental Organisation Coalition on Child Rights (NGO-CCR) has called for concerted efforts among stakeholders to intensify advocacy on child rights amid rising violations including sexual abuse and forced child marriages.
The organisation’s Programmes Officer, Faith Iwalani, said many children are living without parental guidance because some parents neglect their role as primary guardians.
Speaking on the sidelines of a workshop with stakeholders in Chikwawa District, Iwalani said such malpractices make affected children vulnerable to mental health issues and pointed out the need for lasting solutions.
“This project aims to strengthen caregivers, community-based child protection structures and civil society organisations to advocate for children and prevent them from growing up without parental care.
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“I urge each one of us to recognise our role in promoting and protecting children from various forms of abuse. We can offer protection to a child at risk of losing parental care or already without it by providing direction,” she said.
Iwalani further warned that without proper interventions child abuse rates are likely to increase in the country.
Chikwawa District Council Social Welfare Officer Aaron Macheka praised the organisation for the capacity-building, saying it will go a long way towards enhancing their expertise in handling such issues.
Macheka said the council is currently working with various stakeholders in the district to raise awareness about child rights.
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He said critical kinds of abuse affecting children in Chikwawa include sexual abuse, particularly among those out of school.
“Girls in school are somewhat protected but those who drop out become vulnerable to sexual violence. Unfortunately, this exposes them to exploitation.
“Another critical issue is early and child marriages, which are prevalent in various areas of Chikwawa. This forces children to drop out of school, participate in initiation ceremonies and eventually get married,” Macheka said.
He added that lack of awareness and poor role modelling contribute to the problem in the Shire Valley district.
NGO-CCR is carrying out the initiative under its ‘Family Strengthening and Child Protection’ project, which is being implemented in four districts courtesy of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through international charity SoS Children’s Villages.
