‘Report child abuse’
Nkhoma Ward councillor in Lilongwe Msinja South Constituency Mphatso Kaduya has urged community members to identify and report perpetrators who abuse children.
He said this on Saturday at Pimbiri Primary School in Traditional Authority Masula during commemoration of the International Day of the African Child organised by Lilongwe District Council Social Welfare Office.
Kaduya said children were facing various forms of abuse such as defilement, child labour and domestic torture that go unreported.
He said: “It is important that communities should know the dangers of shielding people involved in such acts because the victims are psychologically affected.
“I urge people to report such violations of human rights to give children a conducive environment to grow in.”
Kaduya also warned parents who marry off their children to get money.
On her part, Lilongwe District Council social welfare officer Jean Nthengwe said the day gives her office an opportunity to take stock of what the council is doing to improve the welfare of children.
She said: “The commemoration of the day is important because it is one way of creating awareness of the rights of children.
“We expect parents to ensure that they protect their children from abuse so that they can realise their full potential.”
Nthengwe said besides the Day of the African Child, there are also other platforms such as children’s Parliament and children’s corner where child abuse issues are tackled.
The Day of the African Child is commemorated on June 16 but Lilongwe District Council celebrated it on August 6 this year under the theme Accelerate the Implementation of Agenda 2040 for Lilongwe Fit for All Children.”
