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KK for anti-child abuse by-laws

 

Local leaders involved in child protection in Nkhotakota say by-laws against child abuses are key in ending the vice.

Speaking on Saturday during a road show organised by Timveni’s Amplified Project to raise awareness on child abuse cases, Malengachanzi Area Development Committee (ADC) vice-chairperson Kennedy Njakama said the sanctions will put an end to challenges affecting children.

“We will ensure that we use these by-laws to end abuses against children which are on the rise in our area,” he said.

People listen to speeches during the road show

Njakama observed that child marriages and lack of parental support are some of child abuse cases prevalent in the area.

He asked chiefs to punish those who abuse children and urged people to report child abuse cases to authorities.

Ntchisi Organisation for Youth and Development (Noyd) which operates a child protection project in traditional authorities Malengachanzi and Mwansambo, has asked for application of the by-laws.

Noyd project officer for child protection Gracian Stambuli said the by-laws will help tackle child marriages.

He said since 2015 more than 100 girls have been rescued from child marriages and over 100 teen-mothers have been re-admitted in school.

Timveni project officer and public relations manager for child and youth media Ernest Makanda said the rationale for hosting the shows is to increase awareness on child rights.

He said Amplified project focuses on youth economic empowerment, forced and child marriages, education and child trafficking in Mulanje, Nkhotakota and Karonga districts.

The three-year Plan International financed project started in 2015 and is expected to wind up late this year.

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