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.

By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, September 6, Mana: Disaster Risk Management Officer for Mzuzu City Council, Precious Mandala Friday said about 56,000 people are expected to be targeted for the 2024/25 food insecurity response.

Mandala made the remarks in Mzuzu during an orientation of Mzuzu City Disaster Risk Management Committee and local structures at the ward level on beneficiary targeting and registration ahead of the food insecurity response which is expected to run from January to March 2025.

He said the council thought it wise to embark on timely preparation to reduce challenges that can be encountered during the exercise.

“Last year, the implementation of the response faced some challenges because we did not have enough time to prepare before rolling out the activity. With this approach, we hope challenges will be minimized,” said Mandala.

He said the training will help members to easily identify deserving beneficiaries since authorities have been equipped with parameters for one to benefit from the programme.

“We are however hopeful that in future council will have its own Universal Beneficiary Registry which would be used for various social support services,” he said.

Deputy Director for Disaster Response in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Fyawupi Mwafongo said he expects the targeting process to be conducted in line with humanitarian aspects and parameters,

Chairperson for Mzuzu City Council Disaster Risk Management Committee, Evance Mwale commended DoDMA for organizing the orientation session which he said also covered areas of beneficiary verification, relief food distribution planning, management, grievance redress mechanisms and reporting.

By Beni Bamusi

Thyolo, September 6, Mana: Women Rights Institute (WORI) has called on all stakeholders in Thyolo to raise awareness on issues to do with Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Traditional Authority Bvumbwe who are facing challenges in accessing sexual reproductive health services.

WORI Executive Director, Bertha Mfune made the call this week during a project orientation which took place at Thyolo District Council.

Mfune said AGYW are facing challenges in accessing services regarding Sexual Reproductive Health services, saying cultural, legal and structural barriers in health facilities prevent them from making informed decisions and choices.

“We are therefore calling on the media, and all the stakeholders to amplify change and advocate for reproductive health rights so that adolescent girls and young women can understand their rights,

“Some girls opt for unsafe abortion which brings complications if not well treated. This project will tackle pressing issues affecting their well-being,” she said. 

She added the understanding will help AGYW to avoid early pregnancies and post-abortion complications which come as a result of unsafe abortion which most of the girls resort to when they are pregnant.

Thyolo District, Youth Friendly Service Coordinator, Steve Dimba acknowledged that some AGYW are not aware of their SRHR services, saying there is a need to put deliberate interventions to raise awareness on where they can access the services. 

He expressed hope that WORI project will provide a room where girls will learn their rights, thereby reducing the chances of unwanted pregnancies and child marriages. 

Mwai Women Group Chairperson, Flone  Magombo said the initiative has come at the right time in Bvumbwe where AGYW are failing to access services at a health facility due to an unconducive environment that doesn’t guarantee privacy.

“Bvumbwe being a trading centre, girls are easily influenced by peers and situations to engage in prostitution which puts them at risk of early pregnancies. We anticipate that the project will bring positive change to girls in the area,” said Magombo.

WORI is implementing an SRHR project among the AGYW in Thyolo. 

By Wellington Sibale

Neno, September 6, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust in collaboration with the Center for Civil Society Strengthening (CCSS) this week trained female aspirants in Neno District to help them conduct winning political campaigns ahead of the 2025 general elections.

NICE Trust, Civic Education Programmes Officer, Christopher Naphiyo highlighted that Neno was selected as a beneficiary district of a project called; Nthawi Yawo as the district lacks female representation in both parliamentary and local government positions alongside Salima and Karonga.

“Neno currently has no female Member of Parliament or ward councilor that is why we priorities it for this programme. We organized this training to empower women in political leadership,” said Naphiyo.

He said the training was meant to equip women, particularly young female aspirants with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage effectively in political leadership.

Naphiyo said participants are expected to gain a deeper understanding of the political landscape and be prepared to take on leadership roles.

He, therefore, called on women in Neno and across the country to contest for elective positions in the 2025 general elections and observed that women have a reputation for honesty and the ability to meet the needs of the people.

Director of Planning and Development for Neno District Council, Charles Lomoni said the training will empower women to play an active role in the district’s political landscape thereby contributing to the development.

“Neno is one of the least developed districts in the country. If women are empowered to take on leadership roles, they can make decisions that would benefit their communities.” Lomoni said.

He therefore expressed hope that the training will equip female aspirants with the knowledge and skills to address the challenges the district faces.

A participant in the training who is a shadow Member of Parliament for Neno North, Chandice Chimphonda said the training was relevant and impactful on political ambition.

“This training has been of great interest. I am returning to my constituency with enhanced knowledge and skills that have strengthened my campaign,” she said.

The training’s objective is to equip aspirants with the knowledge and skills necessary for political leadership, identify capacity gaps and future training needs including promoting the active participation of women particularly young women and persons with disabilities.

With funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), NICE Trust and CCSS are implementing the Inclusive Participation of Women in Politics (Nthawi Yawo) Project in Karonga, Salima and Neno districts to increase women's participation in politics.

By Mwai Kumanda

Lilongwe, September 6, Mana: Members of newly elected Area Development Committees (ADC) in Lilongwe district have been advised to avoid corruption, as they will be discharging their duties.

Sub-Traditional Authority Malembo made the call Thursday during the induction of ADC members in his area.

He said corruption among members of ADC retards development projects that would assist many people in their areas.

“I am happy that we have finally our ADC.  I want to take this opportunity to encourage and ask the new members to work together and use their positions wisely, professionally and transparently without indulging in corrupt practices,” he said.

In his remarks, the newly elected Chairperson of the Malembo ADC, Skyford Chikafubwa promised to discharge his duties professionally to develop the area and improve the livelihood of the people in the area.

 “Let me take this opportunity to thank the people of this area for entrusting me so that I can lead the Malembo ADC. It is not that I am wiser than anyone else, but we will work together as a committee and even those who have been in this committee before,” he said.

Lilongwe District Council Assistant Community Development Officer Gladys Kalumbi asked the elected ADC members to do their job professionally saying people in the area are expecting more from them.

“Corruption is evil. And as the council we don’t want to be hearing issues of corruption involving members of the ADC,” she said.

By Martin Chiwanda and Mike Nambwale

Machinga, September 5, Mana: Youth Response for Social Change organization (YRSC) says it nullified 320 child marriages through a project called Social Transformation for Ending Child Marriage implemented in Machinga District with stakeholders.

YRSC disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting in Liwonde, Machinga where the organization shared a progress report of the project, which ends in November this year.

YRSC Programs Officer, Prisca Inani, said the project has been successful following good working relationship with Machinga District Council, other collaborating organizations such as  FOYODE, NANES and development partner, USAID/

She the organizations worked together in the targeted areas which includes Traditional Authorities of Chikweo, Nyambi, Mizinga, Mulimba, Mchinguza and Kawinga where cases of child marriages were common.

Inani said apart from nullifying 320 child marriages, girls have returned to school while 65 of them were taught vocational and soft skills like art and designing, tailoring and farming to sustain their livelihood.

“We have done a recommendable job with partners. We have managed to end marriages, send children back to school as well as providing the much needed skills to some of the youths. It worked well because of the collaboration efforts by different stakeholders including the traditional authorities,” she said.

A girl who came of out child marriage, (name withheld) from Traditional Authority Chikweo, will shortly enter form 4 on September 16 and shared her story of being abused, beaten and isolated from other people in her marriage.

“I got married early because of poverty and my family thought marriage would be the best way to solve problems,” she added.

Traditional Authority Mizinga who spoke on behalf of the other traditional authorities hailed YRSC for implementing a project that nullified child marriages saying this was a positive thing in the right direction as the project helped to reduce the numbers of child marriages in Machinga including his area.

He has vowed to continue the fight even if project phases as long as child marriage continue in the district.

Machinga District Commissioner, Rodrick Mateauma, said child marriages were still a concern in Machinga and acknowledged the role YRSC’ and its partners played in dealing with the problem  

“Before the project, we weren't doing well as a district. The situation was bad as figures show that we were even above the national figures on child marriages,” he added

Mateauma said the project brought good results and also observed the greater role traditional leaders and other area and village level structures played to fight child marriage in the district.

“Going forward, we will rely on the same structures, local leaders, and our extension”, the District Commissioner added.

Among the guests was Senior Chief Kachindamoto, of Dedza who is a national champion in ending child marriages.

She however faulted some parents and guardians who facilitate child marriages on the assumption that they benefit from such forced marriages.

With funding from the American Government through USAID to the tune of 490,000 USD, the Social Transformation for Ending Child Marriages in Machinga Project started in 2021 and will end in November this year.