Snr Chief calls for by-laws review
Senior Chief Nthondo of Ntchisi has appealed for support to review by-laws to enhance child rights, especially for girls.
Nthondo made the appeal following a report of child rights violations presented during a stakeholder meeting organised by the Anglican Church in Development (Acid) on Friday.
“In December last year, 19 boys and 29 girls were forced into early marriages. During the same period, 13 boys and 21 girls were subjected to gender-based violence (GBV). This January, 11 boys and 21 girls have already been forced into early marriages while 16 boys and six girls have been subjected to GBV,” reported Acid area child protection officer Kenneth Malikebu.
The statistics prompted Nthondo to appeal for support to review the area’s child protection by-laws.
“Our by-laws are clear, any person found facilitating any form of child abuse should be punished. It is worrying that GBV reports are still coming out. We need to review our by-laws and we need support to do this,” he said.
Acid projects director Oscar Mponda said the situation means that there is still a lot that needs to be done. He promised to consider the chief’s request for support to review the by-laws.
