Malawi’s children among most abused in Sadc

Malawi stands among the top five Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries grappling with the highest percentage of children subjected to various forms of abuse, according to the recently released Afrobarometer scorecards.

The statistics place Angola at the forefront with 54 percent of its children facing abuse, followed by Botswana at 48 percent, Namibia at 42 percent, Malawi at 41 percent and Lesotho at 40 percent. In contrast, Tanzania records the lowest percentage at 16 percent.

The scorecards, unveiled at the 42nd Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in Addis Ababa, underscore the pressing need for improved well-being, particularly for the most vulnerable children across the continent.

Deputy director of surveys at Afrobarometer, Anyway Chingwete, acknowledges that the use of physical force to discipline children still garners solid support among African adults.

However, she notes a growing opposition, stating: “This trend suggests that international condemnation of corporal punishment and an increasing emphasis on children’s rights may be having an effect.”

Yvonne Tagwireyi, an external expert at the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, describes the scorecards as a crucial governance and accountability tool, stating: “In order for Africa to achieve the aspirations of the Agenda 2063, and more importantly Agenda for Children 2040, we urgently require data that is generated in Africa to inform policy and practice.”

The Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare requested more time to comment on the issue.

However, University of Malawi child rights activist Alexious Kamangira expressed concern over the State’s failure to implement necessary policies for children’s protection.

He stressed the importance of holding parents accountable and reviving cultural norms that emphasise collective responsibility in safeguarding children from abuse.

“As a duty bearer, the State needs to be held accountable due to its failure to implement necessary policies as regards children protection,” said Kamangira.

He added: “We need to revive the cultural norm that it takes a village to raise a child, which means all of us close to a child should be involved in protecting them from abuse.”

Malawi, a signatory to various international conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, must urgently address these alarming statistics.

The well-being of our children is not just a societal responsibility but a moral imperative that demands immediate attention and collaborative efforts.