By Lommah Jelome

Mzimba, September 6, MANA: Mzimba South District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Bernard Nangwale has revealed that the majority of men in Mzimba do not participate in Early Childhood Development activities.

Nangwale made the sentiments in Mzimba when Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) through the Development Broadcasting Unit unveiled a project aimed at intensifying an awareness campaign on Early child childhood development (ECD).

He said that culturally, most men in Mzimba think that responsibility of sending a child to Community Based Care Centre (CBCC) lies on women.

"We want fathers also to take big responsibility in establishing CBCCs and sending their under-five children to access early child development," Nangwale said.

Nangwale added that early childhood education is further hindered by the massive migration of men to South Africa where they seek greener pastures.

"Most ECDs do not have male teachers. The majority of men are in South Africa as such we work mostly with females but we need those available in villages to take part in our interventions," he said.

Program Manager for Development Broadcasting Unit (DBU) at MBC Joshua Chirwa said the project will be executed through the production of radio and television programs that will focus on issues affecting the delivery of ECD services.

The project is set to be implemented in Mzimba, Nkhotakotakota and Balaka districts.

Chirwa said the audience will be reached through MBC radios, MBC TV 1 and 2 as well Mibawa TV.

He also revealed that programs will also reach every corner of the catchment areas as they have partnered with Mzimba and Nkhotakota community radios.

"For instance, we are going to conduct talk shows and panel discussions in our program which will among others feature topics on the roles of men in addressing health issues affecting under five children and participation in ECD," he said.

Overseer of the project, Nellie Masamba said the project is going to run from September 2024 to January next year.

She said the project will also involve advocacy on the need to construct CBCCs that are durable and provide physical security to the young learners.

UNICEF is funding the project to the tune of 107 million Kwacha in the three districts. In Mzimba, the project is expected to be implemented in two Traditional Authorities which M'mbelwa District Council will soon identify.