By Mtisunge Gwedeza

Blantyre, March 16, Mana: University of Malawi (UNIMA) Child Rights Clinic, in collaboration with the Student Law Society, on Friday held a seminar to discuss child rights and protection and challenges in the justice system that compromise rights and protection in the best interest of the child.

During discussions at UNIMA campus in Zomba, students and staff presented their research findings and possible solutions for child protection against wider range of abuse, violation and neglect.

The Child Rights and Justice System Seminar also focused on awareness programmes on child rights and protection, enforcing laws that protect children from becoming parents, apart from discussing the urgent need to revise laws that protect children from cyberbullying.

Ruth Mchidzi from the Faculty of Law presented her findings on: Rethinking Child Maintenance Laws, a pathway to population control and sustainable economic growth in Malawi.

“We should shift from obligor-centric to child centric and child maintenance approach. This approach focuses on the best interests of the child and encourages responsible family planning which will help with child protection,” she said.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency, Students Law Society executive member Sungeni Mkwanda said there was need for collective action to ensure that every child is protected in the best possible way.

“Apart from presenting our findings, our goal was also to engage the broader community beyond just law enthusiasts in order to bridge the gap that is there so that we work together to deal with these issues. This is why we invited all the UNIMA societies,” she said.

Public Administration Society president John Peter said the seminar, organised by Private and Public Law Department, was relevant as, among other issues, it highlighted wide range child rights, including the plight of street connected children.

“The seminar inspired me to advocate for children’s rights,” he said and expressed optimism that the UNIMA Child Rights Clinic will contribute positively to policies and laws that protect children in Malawi.    

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important agreement by countries, including Malawi, that promised to protect children’s rights as the convention explains who children are, all their rights, and responsibilities of governments in protecting children’s rights.