On 11 January, 2025, YONECO in collaboration with the Malawi Police Service (MPS) has embarked on a human rights awareness campaign in the area of Group Village Head (GVH) Msoma, Traditional Authority (T/A) Liwonde in Machinga district.
The campaign aimed to address critical issues affecting young people in the community. The activity was prompted by an increase in the number of various recurrent and emerging youth rights violations in the area.
The campaign, dubbed Tisithe (Let’s Change), seeks to address various root causes of challenges such as child labour in informal gold mining activities, cyber exploitation, child marriage, and school dropout rates.
The function also served as a platform for raising awareness about the negative consequences of these practices on young people’s futures and the society.
“I will keep on reminding my fellow community members that education is a means of breaking the cycle of poverty and it plays a pivotal role in protecting children from exploitation,” explained one of the patrons, Expel Asani.
During the campaign at GVH Msoma’s area, YONECO and the MPS shared some insights into the role of community members in safeguarding the rights of children. Community members were further reminded of the harmful effects of child marriages and how they hinder the development of young girls.
Additionally, YONECO also publicized its toll-free helplines lines 116 (child helpline); 5600 Gender-Based Violence Crisis Line, and 393 (Youth Helpline).
