Youth call for mobile courts to end child marriage, GBV
The event was attended by various stakeholders, including Paramount Chief Kaduya of the Lhomwes, Senior Chief Malemia of Zomba, UNICEF officials, and youth advocates.
Lilongwe, Malawi — A meeting focusing on Evidence-Based National Advocacy on Child Marriage, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Harmful Practices was held recently in Lilongwe, providing a platform for youth advocates to emphasize the need for mobile courts to address child marriages and sexual-related crimes in rural areas, writes Peter Davieson.
The event, organized by Development Communication Trust (DCT) and Parent and Child Health Initiative (PACHI) with support from UNICEF, took place at the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
Participants included officials from the Ministry of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, child-focused organizations, and youth advocates.
Justin Hamera, Deputy Director in the Department of Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, stressed the importance of involving youth in decision-making processes concerning child marriages and other child rights violations.
He pointed out that child marriages are on the rise in Malawi compared to other countries because young people are often excluded from discussions about their well-being.
Hamera called for greater opportunities for youth to voice their concerns, emphasizing the need for evidence-based solutions to child marriages, GBV, harmful practices, and other social issues.
Hamera expressed deep concern over the issues raised by youth advocates and voiced his satisfaction with their call for mobile courts.
Additionally, the youth advocates called for the introduction of One-Stop Centers staffed with adequate personnel in all districts and major health facilities to handle issues affecting children.
Hamera thanked DCT and PACHI for organizing the meeting, aligning it with the Ministry's policy of providing a platform for children to voice their concerns and participate in decision-making.
However, he expressed concern about the absence of One-Stop Centers in some districts, citing it as a setback in addressing children's welfare issues.
The Deputy Director highlighted the government's and UNICEF's commitment to ending child rights violations, GBV, and harmful practices affecting children in the country. He extended gratitude to the youth advocates for raising concerns about issues negatively affecting children.
Prince Mtelera, Executive Director of DCT, noted that his organization, in partnership with PACHI, has introduced a project addressing child marriages and GBV in Zomba, Phalombe, and Neno.
Mtelera emphasized the various factors contributing to child marriages, including poverty and harmful cultural practices, which not only affect children's health and well-being but also violate their right to education.
Youth advocates from Zomba, Phalombe, and Neno were commended for their active involvement in the fight against child marriages.
One of the youth advocates, Taona Zipangeni from Neno, highlighted the significance of the meeting at Crossroads Hotel, as it invigorated additional activism against child marriages.
The event was attended by various stakeholders, including Paramount Chief Kaduya of the Lhomwes, Senior Chief Malemia of Zomba, UNICEF officials, and youth advocates.