NGO urges people to protect women

Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education (Cyece) coordinator Aggie Bob Chang has asked community members in Salima District to desist from involving children in businesses during school time.

The call follows increasing reports of children selling merchandise at Kamuzu Road or Salima Boma late into the night.

In an interview on Monday, she condemned the malpractice and asked for immediate intervention to safeguard children’s rights.

“Various stakeholders, including community leaders, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions, need to collaborate and address this issue,” said Chang.

In random interviews, some residents expressed their concerns over the continued involvement of children in businesses.

Moses Kalimba, a resident at Kamuzu Road, said involving children in businesses was putting the minors’ lives at risk of sexual abuse.

“Most children selling commodities in the streets during school hours and late at night are sent by their parents and business operators; hence, there is need for different stakeholders to ensure children are protected,” he said.

In response, Salima district assistant social welfare officer Alexis Makatha attributed the rise in child rights violations to parental negligence.

He said: “Parents are inadvertently exposing their children to exploitation and potential harm.

“Some are doing this because of poverty and others just abandon their children for no reason.”

Makatha said their office is working to ensure that children are kept in school.

“The focus is not only on holding parents accountable, but also on implementing comprehensive strategies that protect the rights of children, ensuring they have the opportunity for a safe environment to grow,” he said.