High Child Maintenance Cases in Karonga District Linked to Cultural Beliefs
In July 2023 alone, the district recorded over 30 cases of child maintenance, shedding light on the pressing need for support and intervention.
Karonga, Malawi — Karonga district in Malawi has been grappling with a concerning surge in child maintenance cases, with cultural beliefs identified as one of the contributing factors, writes Ellah Chirwa.
In July 2023 alone, the district recorded over 30 cases of child maintenance, shedding light on the pressing need for support and intervention.
Out of these cases, 11 have been successfully concluded, while nine are currently in the enforcement phase.
Eight cases are adjourned for judgement, and four are awaiting their hearing dates. The tireless efforts and diligent follow-ups by the Women's Forum and other partners have played a significant role in addressing this issue.
Martha Mwagomba, a young mother abandoned by her disgruntled husband with a one-year-old child and no financial support, expressed her gratitude for the assistance provided by the Women's Forum.
She stated, "I am happy to share that Women's Forum stood as a ray of hope for a hopeless person like I was before. I come from an extremely poor family, and all I used to do was cry day and night until Women's Forum came to my rescue like an angel from heaven."
Mwagomba went on to describe the emotional torture her child and she endured when her husband left them for a week without leaving any money for food, forcing them to beg from neighbours for basic necessities.
"Women's Forum helped me with transportation and summoned my husband to court. Now, I stand as a living testimony to my fellow women facing similar situations because the court ordered him to pay 40 thousand Kwacha every month for the child," she explained.
The Women's Forum is not only providing legal support but also acting as a shield for the powerless and voiceless, ensuring that justice prevails for everyone.
Winnie Gondwe, from Mwangolera village, shared her story of recovery from an abusive relationship with her husband, which had driven her to contemplate ending her life.
"Life was unbearable for my children and me. We felt abandoned by the world, but the Women's Forum came and showed us the way forward. They revived my life and restored the lost gift of hope," Gondwe stated.
She encouraged others facing various forms of abuse to seek help from the Women's Forum, which offers proper counselling and seeks justice for all disadvantaged individuals.
Queen Kayira, the project officer for the Women's Forum, emphasized their commitment to supporting victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the district and ensuring justice for all victims.
However, Kayira lamented the organization's significant challenge: a lack of funding that limits its ability to provide additional services.
"Our organisation has been in existence since 2007, but we struggle to follow up with GBV survivors after counselling, particularly if the case goes to court, due to insufficient funds. Many survivors come from remote areas. Nevertheless, over 500 people have benefited from our initiative," Kayira noted.
She highlighted cultural beliefs as a key challenge fueling child maintenance problems in the district.
Parents often view their daughters as a source of wealth, leading to early marriages and dowry (Lobola) expectations, which ultimately contribute to child maintenance issues.
Kayira called upon community leaders and well-wishers to collaborate in ending this vice in the district.
The Women's Forum has ambitious plans, including establishing permanent shelters for victims and acquiring vehicles to reach remote areas where support is needed most.