Child Protection & Advocacy

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We see increasing incidents reported in the local media about child dumping, molestation, labor, neglect, rape and many other forms of child abuse. Many of these children have no access to education. A notable contributing factor is the escalating number of OVCs in Malawi.

Our advocacy program responds to this growing and national social problem, seeking to educate government and the community in children’s rights and how to deal better with cases of child abuse. We began training member organisations in advocacy in 2008.

So far:

  • We have trained nearly 100 officers of member organisations.
  • We have sensitised 48 key district officials and over 100 Community members on the need to waive school fees levied on OVCs.
  • Our members have been involved in 2 advocacy campaigns in the Mwanza and Nkhata Bay districts.

We still have many activities on our work plan:

  • Conduct regular progress reviews on implementation of Malawi’s National Plan of Action for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children.
  • Facilitate a discussion forum on child rights and protection legislation.
  • Advocate for amendment of laws that affect OVCs.
  • Continue advocacy training.
  • Conduct further advocacy campaigns.

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Issues Statement

Orphaned children and children with chronically sick parents are often removed from school by their families and sent to find paid employment. Adult roles are thus assumed very early as children help support younger siblings and/or their ailing parents. This scenario has sent many school-age children to places where abuse is rampant, such as the streets, workplaces, working as prostitutes on street corners, or taken to South African brothels.

There is need for integrated and concerted effort to ensure OVCs are not neglected or abused and have access to social services like health, education and skills development. To achieve this, resources need to be mobilized, comprehensive responses developed and adequate programs initiated.

Program Goal

  • Influence government and other stakeholders to promote national programmes, practices and strategies that respond adequately to OVC needs at all levels.
  • Through this, enable OVCs to realize their fullest potential and to meaningfully contribute to national development.