By Beatrice Bangula

Blantyre, April 25, Mana: Social workers in the country have been urged to continue working hard so that they can change the lives of people they serve by promoting social change and development.

President of Association of Social Workers in Malawi (ASWIM) Chisangalalo Ntonio made the call on Tuesday during a social service practitioner’s certification ceremony held at Malawi Sunday Hotel in Blantyre.

Speaking to 49 social workers from Southern and Central region who graduated after undergoing two months training from October to November, 2023, Ntonio said it is imperative that the practitioners should promote and protect the rights of the clientele who are its service users.

He said the training they have attended can only be of importance if they put what they have learnt into practice in order to contribute the development of the country.

"Certificates alone are useless if there is no implementation, use the skills learnt in helping government reduce teenage pregnancies through intervention among others. We need social cohesion, empowerment and liberation of people to be seen from your everyday work,” he said.

On his part, Secretary General for ASWIM Joseph Akuzike Stephano said the social workers training has come at a right time when Malawi continues to be one of the highest in as far as cases of child marriages and teenage pregnancies are concerned.

He said,” with the high rate of child marriages and teenage pregnancies, there is a lot of work for social workers. Having undergone this training, you should ensure that you bring change in the communities. You can team up and open firms where you can provide counselling, talk to other youths about issues of sexual reproductive health.

One of the participants, Praise Sinkhonde said the training has expanded her knowledge and deepened her understanding of issues of sexuality.

 "One of the impactful part of this programme was learning about the right of sexuality education and the legal frame work. I have gained as a front line officer and this knowledge has empowered me to be a better advocate for those I will serve," she said.

The training focused on capacitating professionals with the knowledge, skills and principles pertaining to sexuality education in pursuit to prevent teenage pregnancy and gender based violence.

ASWiM is a registered membership-based organization aimed at improving the delivery of social welfare services to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of people.

The organization has chapters in the northern, central, eastern, and southern regions of Malawi with membership throughout the country, working in both rural and urban areas.