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‘Media critical in fighting child abuse’

Malawi cannot win the battle against child abuse unless the media intensifies efforts to raise awareness on the evils of the vice.

Plan Malawi child protection specialist McDonald Mumba  said this in Lilongwe on Monday on the sidelines of a day-long training for journalists working for Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation.

Child_abuse
Child_abuse

The training sought to sharpen journalists’ reporting skills, particularly on policies and laws formulated to protect the rights of children such as the Child Care, Protection and  Justice Act and Child Protection in Emergencies.

Despite efforts by various actors to protect and promote the rights of children in the country, Mumba said minors remain vulnerable to various forms of abuse such as defilement, child neglect, and lack of parental care and support.

“We need to raise awareness so that people can change their mindset towards children and we expect the trained journalists to improve their reportage on children’s rights thereby contributing to national efforts to eliminate the vice,” he said.

Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation executive director Manyanda  Nyasulu said the training had come at a time his  organisation is working to devise strategies on how to raise awareness on policies and legislations that promote rights of children. n

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