Police steps up rights awareness campaign
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has embarked on a campaign to sensitise the public to child rights and protection of people with albinism in various parts of the country.
Speaking at Nsanje Community Centre ground on Saturday, Deputy Inspector General of Police responsible for operations Rodney Jose said the initiative follows continued attacks on persons with albinism and reports of child abuse cases in the country.
He informed the gathering to report any child abuse case to police to ensure that children are protected from abuses which include forced marriages and child labour.
On that note, Jose warned that with the newly revised Child Protection Act stipulating that no child below the age of 18 should be in marriage, parents will be arrested if they fail to protect their children from such marriages.
He also revealed that many children in the district were not going to school as their parents depend on them to do household chores, sell merchandise or take care of livestock.
“This is killing the future of the children. We all know education is key to success and as police we will not allow such abuses to continue. Whenever we receive a report that a child is being abused, we will punish the perpetrator regardless of whether he or she is a biological parent or not,” he warned.
On attacks of persons with albinism, Jose told the communities to be vigilant in protecting people with albinism in their areas by reporting any suspected criminals so that the law should take its course.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Malemia of Nsanje hailed the police for the initiative.
“Three days ago, a man with albinism was attacked on his veranda while chatting with his family and two weeks ago, two men with albinism were attacked in Ngabu. We thought these cases had stopped but see what is happening.
“I wonder whoever is misleading these people that they can get rich because of body parts of persons with albinism. They are subjecting our friends to unnecessary fear and there must be an end to this,” he said.
On cases of child marriages and various forms of child abuse, Malemia said chiefs in the district have started denouncing such cultural practices and are formulating by-laws to achieve that.
Among the activities on the day were a performance by the Malawi Police Band and a football match between Blue Eagles and Nsanje Select football teams.
