CCJP project addresses abuse in schools in Chitipa
Teachers and learners in Chitipa District have commended the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese for implementing interventions to address abuse in primary schools.
Speaking on Monday during a media tour, Chikondi Luhanga, the safeguarding focal person at Kaseghe Primary School, said the project addressed abuse such as corporal punishment and sexual abuse.
“The project has created a conducive learning atmosphere in primary schools,” he said.
Luhanga described the Gender Sensitisation and Safeguarding Project as crucial in motivating learners to remain in school.
Standard Seven learner Grace Kamisa said since the formulation of school guidelines, learners have not experienced abuses from teachers or fellow learners.
“The project sensitised learners on gender-based violence and are able to know where to report abuse,” he said.
CCJP gender coordinator Janet Mhango said she was satisfied with the project’s impact.
“We are positive that schools will sustain the project’s interventions,” she said.
The three-year Gender Sensibilisation and Safeguarding Project is funded by Misereor and Diocese of Muenster of Germany.
The project has two components, namely safeguarding children in 25 Catholic primary schools and gender sensitisation targeting 12 village development committees in traditional authorities Mwabulambya, Mwenemisuku and Kameme.