NGO promotes people’s rights in Thyolo District

Coalition of Women Living with HIV and Aids (Cowlha) has embarked on a project through Thunga Community-Based Organisation (CBO) to impart knowledge to parents and guardians on the rights of marginalised groups such as women and children.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday, Thunga CBO finance officer Mary Hoda said the K71 million two-year Bring Kids to Care Project, which started from January 2024 and will run up to December 2025, incorporates gender advocacy to eradicate gender-based violence (GBV) among women, men and children and promotes health and social welfare among children.

She said: “The project will train health surveillance assistants and male and female champions on child rights advocacy.

“We, therefore, appeal for collaboration from relevant authorities such as community leaders, police and healthcare workers in the district for the project’s successful implementation.”

Hoda said they will start training health surveillance assistants from Didi, Gombe, Chingazi, Amalika and Mchima health centres.

Thyolo district gender and development officer Gerald Zgambo commended the organisation for complementing government’s efforts in fighting GBV in the area.

He said government was committed to working with local partners to promote a violence-free society.

Bvumbwe Police Station Community Policing coordinator Sub-Inspector Franco Kasiya assured the community that police were on the ground protecting children from any form of violence or abuse.

“We will not spare anyone found committing gender-based violence or abusing the elderly. I encourage women and children to report abuse to relevant authorities, including police,” he said.

Jane Mandota, a resident from Traditional Authority Mphuka, said the project was crucial as it would address defilement cases in the area.

With support from Aids Force of Netherlands, Cowlha is also implementing the project in Nkhata Bay and Chiradzulu districts.