By Rennie Tembo

Lilongwe, September 3, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza has emphasized the need for collective action from parent’s community leaders and stakeholders to protect children from early marriages and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Sendeza made the call Monday at Mpingu Primary School in Traditional Authority Mbwatalika during the commemoration of International Day of African Child.

Sendeza said it is sad that despite different interventions by the government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), issues of GBV are continuing in several parts of the country.

“You need to know that every child has the right to education and it is every parent’s responsibility to ensure that their children are going to school so that they become responsible citizens soon,” she said.

Sendeza then expressed concern with the recent Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examination poor results from the central region despite well-wishers and other organizations paying their examination fees.

“This is a wake-up call for all of us, paying school fees alone is not enough. These poor results show clearly that there are a lot of challenges that affect children be it inadequate resources at school or challenges at home.

“We must work together as it is not a one-man show and there is a need to bring up stiff penalties to all parents who send their children to early marriages,” she said.

Lilongwe District Social Welfare Officer Derrick Mwenda thanked the government through the Ministry of Gender and NGOs for the support in advancing child welfare and education.

However, Mwenda expressed concern over cases of GBVs and school drop-out rates among girls in the district due to early pregnancies and marriages.

“Just imagine, Mpingu alone registered 592 cases of GBV in the 2023/24 among adolescent which is very alarming,” he said.

Mwenda then thanked the police for their vital role in making sure that every child who has been abused receives the necessary support.

Lilongwe Civil Society Organization Network Chairperson Gibozi Mphanzi said despite their efforts there are still challenges that children are facing that need more attention and action.

‘’We are worried with the recent examination results, this shows that many children are struggling and there is need to support our education system more. As NGOs we are committed to continue working hand in hand with the government to address the root causes of these challenges,” he said.

This year’s International Day of African Child was spiced up by poems, drama and dances, and it was cerebrated under the theme “Quality and Inclusive Education for all children; It starts now,”