Communities team up to protect children’s rights
Communities from three traditional authorities (T/As) in Karonga have teamed up to protect children’s rights in the district.
The community members, from group village head (GVH) Mwandambo in T/A Mwakaboko, Mwangolera in T/A Kyungu and Chisi in T/A Kilupula, have since January rescued children from early marriages.
Speaking on Saturday after paralegal orientation in the district, GVH Mwandambo said they supported mother groups to rescue girls from early marriages.
Chisalankhanga Primary School Mother Group chairperson Lucy Mhango said one girl they rescued was from Mwenilondo Primary School and another from Mwenilondo Community Day Secondary School.
On his part, GVH Mwandambo also said traditional leaders support parents whose children were trafficked to Tanzania for child labour.
“With the help of mother groups and fellow traditional leaders, we have rescued five girls from early marriages,” he said.
During the orientation, Karonga Magistrate’s Court clerk Alick Mbughi unpacked the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act, Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, the Constitution and Child Care, Protection and Child Justice Act.
Taking his turn, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) project officer Vincent Bwinga said the orientation sought to bridge the information gap on court processes and proceedings for community structures.
With funding from the Norwegian Church Aid and DanchurchAid, CCJP of Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church is implementing Timazge Nkhaza Project in the three T/As in the district.
