M’Mbelwa District Council has commended the Foundation for Children’s Rights for protecting the rights of children in Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba.
In an interview on Tuesday, the council’s social welfare officer Bernard Nangwale said the organisation’s awareness campaigns on child abuse helped people to understand how to protect children.
He said: “The organisation’s focus on youth economic empowerment through village savings and loans groups has been effective in reducing vulnerability to sexual violence against girls.
“Although the six-month project has phased out, we are looking forward to working with them in future.”
On his part, the organisation’s project manager Chimwemwe Singini said their project focused on promoting children’s access to education, healthcare and protection from abuse.
He said they worked with communities, traditional leaders and healthcare workers to ensure that children’s rights are protected.
“We are proud of the progress made in combating sexual and gender-based violence. Our project has not only raised awareness about the issue but also provided community members with skills and knowledge to prevent the abuse,” said Singini.
He assured the council that the communities will sustain the gains under the project.
“Communities through Kampingo Sibande Women’s Forum, Community Gender Technical Working Group and traditional leaders will sustain the gains. We have also given them the manual to guide them to sustain the initiative,” said Singini.
The organisation ran the project with funding from the United Nations Development Programme.
