Advocacy Members in Nkhotakota Hail Centre for Social Concern Project
Advocacy members praise Centre for Social Concern project to end early marriages in Nkhotakota.
Nkhotakota, Malawi: Advocacy members in Nkhotakota have praised the Centre for Social Concern for a project that is empowering them to follow up on stalled development projects and end early marriages in the district, writes Fletcher Chiponda.
Speaking at an advocacy meeting in the district recently, Hayitakisi Nthanje, an advocacy member from Nkhotakota North North East Constituency, said the project has given them the tools they need to hold duty-bearers accountable.
"This project is not just about questioning our leaders on how they are using funds," Nthanje said.
"It is also about giving us the power to follow up on stalled projects and end child marriages. Since the inception of this project, we have been able to approach our leaders and provide guidance on how we can end early marriages in our communities."
Godfrey Kubwense, who represented the District Commissioner at the event, expressed gratitude for the project, saying it has helped to bring together different stakeholders from across the district.
"We have seen people witnessing the progress of projects in their communities," Kubwense said.
"This is helpful because it allows duty-bearers to respond to the concerns of the community. I believe this project will help duty-bearers perform their duties more transparently."
Kondwani Hara, project officer for the Centre for Social Concern, said the project has been successful in raising awareness of important issues in the district.
"Issues raised at these meetings lead to development in their areas," Hara said. "We are happy that 70% of the issues raised have been addressed."
The Centre for Social Concern is implementing a four-year project to help communities raise an alarm about issues that affect them in their day-to-day lives and hold duty-bearers accountable.