Youth Parliament calls for child protection in Tripartite Elections

The Youth Parliament in the northern Malawi district of Karonga has called on stakeholders to protect children as the country prepares for the 2014 Tripartite Elections.

The call was made on Saturday when the Parliament sat to raise various problems children face in the district.

 The function was organised by the Church and Society of the Livingstonia CCAP Synod.

The children expressed various problems ranging from health, education, and various forms of abuse.

One of Parliament’s  representatives Chawanangwa Mkandawire said children are subjected to abuse during elections as they are used in campaigns to incite violence; hence, the need for protection.

He said as young leaders, they will ensure that children are not abused in the coming elections.

“Money can force you to do anything. These politicians entice children with money to do some things that are awful because they know it is hard to resist money,” said Mkandawire.

Livingstonia Synod Church and Society project officer Modester Mandala said her organisation will conduct civic education to ensure that the children are protected. She said child protection committees, children corners and clubs in villages will also have to be strengthened to ensure that they reach out to various people to fight abuse.

“Children will definitely have to be protected. We have children protection programme and we also conduct civic education during elections. So we will sensitise people to ensure that children are not involved and anyone found should be reported to authorities,” said Mandala.

Those who commented on challenges the children face and how they can encounter them  include magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda, Karonga Police child protection officer Steve Bandewande,   Karonga district youth officer Limbani Manda and social welfare officer Katoto Simwera.

 

 

 

FEEDBACK

On Atupele’s resignation from Cabinet

 

I personally think the move made by Atupele Muluzi is right [because it will] strengthen his party. He will also be having enough time for his political rallies which could have been difficult if he were still a Minister under the People’s Party government.

TM/Via e-mail

 

Sincere decision

Atupele Muluzi has made a right decision in resigning from the Cabinet. Those people who castigated Atupele at a rally in Mangochi did that deliberately. Atupele’s resignation is genuine and I wish we had many politicians of Atupele’s calibre. Let him revamp his party. His resignation should be a lesson to all political parties not to take other people’s gesture for granted.

 IC/Via e-mail

 

Atupele has goofed. Malawian politics is dynamic, he cannot win. He is forgetting that the largest group of voters belongs to women, and should never underestimate the power of women.

 

Via SMS

 

He has made right decision because he is the president of UDF and 2014 candidate. So, it is time to start campaigning.

Via SMS

 

 Atupele has done quite well. He wanted experience from People’s Party. Let him now serve his party.

Via SMS

 

 He made a rightful decision so that he can have more time to prepare for 2014 elections. Eeeeh nzomwe timayembekezera tsopano chipani chathu chiyambe kuyenda bwino.

Via SMS

 

It is a decision out of frustration and he is not experienced enough. It was going to be good if he stayed for another year and learn more about running the government.

Via SMS

 

Well done. We were failing to differentiate between orange and yellow and Atupele has shown his true colour by expressing himself as a party leader

 Via SMS

 

 Atupele must be commended for his action. We need people who have spine, not those who can be insulted and just laugh it off simply to keep enjoying the packages and prestige that go with the position

 Via SMS