Ministry dares Ntcheu Children’s Parliament

Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has asked Ntcheu Children’s Parliament to help address challenges facing children in the district.

The ministry’s director of children affairs McKnight Kalanda said this on Thursday when he opened the first session which drew 48 child parliamentarians from the district.

During the meeting, the young parliamentarians discussed issues affecting children.

Kalanda said children’s parliament was important because it helps children to express their views on  issues.

“I am pleased that traditional leaders and district council officials are in attendance to hear the children’s concerns,” he said.

On his part, Save the Children humanitarian and relief manager Steve Kamtimaleka, whose organisation sponsored the meeting, said they wanted to give children a platform to discuss challenges affecting them.

He said: “There are a lot of issues affecting children such as teen pregnancies and general human rights infringements.Through this parliament, we engage and encourage participation in ways that build children’s competence and understanding of themselves as citizens.”

Kasinje Constituency parliamentarian Jesse Andrea thanked Save the Children for the platform.

He said: “In my constituency, most schools do not have teaching materials.

“So, we ask government to help us.”

Save the Children Malawi, through Pathways for Strengthening Resilience Project funded by Ireland, is financing the session to the tune of K6 million.