Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Jean Kalilani has said government is committed to respecting and protecting children in the country.
Kalilani was speaking on Thursday in Mwanza during the commemoration of the Day of the African Child which falls on June 16.
She called for the need for parents and guardians to ensure that children receive adequate support during their upbringing.
Said Kalilani: “Government has programmes which contribute to ensuring that lives of children are taken care of. We encourage early childhood development programmes [ECDPs], which are empowering boys and girls to be ready to go to primary school.”
She condemned abductions and killings of children with albinism and asked Malawians to help in protecting children with albinism by reporting to police anyone who wants to violate their rights.
Chisomo Children’s Home centre manager Auspicious Ndamuwa said commemoration of the Day of the African Child is important as it underscores the importance of giving children rights.
He equally expressed concern about abductions and killings of children with albinism, and thanked government and the public for efforts they are making to stop the malpractice.
The day is celebrated in memory of children massacred in Soweto, South Africa in 1976 for protesting the introduction of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools. The theme for this year’s commemoration was Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Rights.
