Councillors to formulate by-laws

Councillors and Area Development Committees (ADCs) in Chikwawa last Tuesday were challenged to formulate by-laws to protect children’s rights.

Chikwawa district human resources management officer Noel Dakamawu gave them two weeks to complete the process of formulating by-laws with local chiefs.

He said this after a day-long orientation workshop organised by Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP).

“After this orientation the protection and promotion of children’s rights, you are expected to come up with by-laws that protect the rights of children in your wards,” said Dakamawu.

CCJP diocesan secretary for Chikwawa Lewis Msiyadungu, in an interview, said the workshop was held to lobby councillors to come up with by-laws that will protect and promote the rights of children.

The district’s social welfare officer, Rose Mahata, was concerned with none participation of women in various key positions, saying all members of Parliament and councillors are men.

“‘It is a major concern that there are no women participating in key positions. We are trying to lobby that women should be found in all key positions. Chikwawa is dominated by male politicians in all key positions,” he said.

Council chairperson Dyson Manjolo assured CCJP that by February 2015, the district will have the by-laws that would be used by communities.

“We are looking to have at least five by-laws that will protect and promote the rights of a child and we will form a committee to ensure that by-laws are formulated,” he said.