Understanding CCJP in Chikwawa Diocese
Tell us more about what CCJP is?
It is an arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) established to promote God’s reign of justice and peace and uphold human dignity through institutionalising principles of democracy; respect for human rights and freedoms; citizen participation; good governance; rule of law and access to quality public services. Core functions include civic education, advocacy and lobbying, monitoring human rights violations and paralegal service provision. Thematic areas include peace building, democracy and governance, HIV and Aids, gender,
conomic and trade justice. In Chikwawa Diocese, the commission covers Nsanje, Chikwawa and part of Thyolo District.
How does the commission operate in the diocese?
It operates through established church and local government structures. There are 12 parishes in the three districts that make diocese. In each parish there is a CCJP committee with 10 trained animators with a supervisor who together implement, oversee and report on behalf of the commission’s activities at grassroots level in collaboration with the local government structures such as village development committee (VDC) and area development committee (ADC).
How independent are you as a church organisation?
We do not work in isolation, but through partnership with various organisations and government departments. CCJP is currently implementing the following programmes in the diocese:-
l Primary justice with assistance from DfID to assist most vulnerable people such as women and children to access justice easily at local level.
l Child protection and participation project funded by Plan Malawi to protect children’s rights.
l Strengthening local governance project to build capacity of local structures such as VDCs and ADCs to demand and own development in their areas with assistance from Tilitonse Fund.
l Influencing policies that address adverse effects of poverty and climate change on the livelihoods of people in Chikwawa District in partnership with Centre for Social Concern.
l Gender equality and women empowerment (Gewe) in partnership with European Union (EU) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
What is the cost of the paralegal services?
These services are to all people on pro bono basis (free of charge) as most of the people in the diocese cannot afford legal fees charged by legal firms in town. It is through these areas that many people are aware of CCJP activities as most women and poor people are assisted to access justice. Some people think we are a legal firm, which we are not.
Talking about primary justice, what are you doing about school drop outs?
Where necessary and after gathering enough information, CCJP advocates changes in a particular area, scenario or issues so that positive change is achieved that would transform peoples’ lives. It is through these initiatives that the commission is able to reach out to the people with special focus on the poor, victimised and vulnerable people.
How do you work with the communities in the three districts?
As per its mission statement, CCJP Chikwawa Diocese operates within the context of the gospel of Jesus Christ with special preference for the poor and marginalised. The commission draws its teaching from the ‘Social Teaching of the Church’, which is an evangelical witness to justice and peace. n
