SOS Children's Villages Launches Child Protection Campaign
SOS Children's Villages is leading the campaign in collaboration with partners including the National Youth Network on Climate Change.
BLANTYRE, Malawi— SOS Children's Villages Malawi launched a child protection campaign called "No Child Should Grow Up Alone" on Friday, bringing together stakeholders to address issues affecting vulnerable children, writes Thokozani Beaton.
The campaign, initiated during an extraordinary full council meeting in Blantyre, aims to eradicate child exploitation, abuse, neglect, and unnecessary family separation.
Loyce Hezekiah, director of SOS Children's Villages program for Blantyre district, said the event highlighted challenges faced by children without parental care.
"The meeting was about profiling critical issues our children are facing and seeks robust solutions from stakeholders," she said.
Henry Machemba, National Coordinator for NGO Coalition and Child Rights, appealed to various groups to support vulnerable children.
"The coalition wants to see more councils, leaders, faith communities and duty bearers engaging with citizens to ensure these children are protected," he said.
Councillor Mike Malikita, chairperson for Blantyre District Council, emphasized the enforcement of by-laws to support the campaign.
"We are setting by-laws and implementing other initiatives to protect children's rights," he said.
A recent continental study revealed that approximately 35 million children in Africa grow up without parental care.
In Malawi, 1,513,000 children do not live with a biological parent, 2,492,000 live with only their mother, and 1,178,000 live with only their father.
SOS Children's Villages is leading the campaign in collaboration with partners including the National Youth Network on Climate Change.