YONECO conducted an awareness session on good governance and human rights aimed at empowering communities to actively participate in local development at Kasisi in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwabulambya, Chitipa district.
The session emphasized the importance of community involvement in development initiatives, highlighting that participation is not only a responsibility but also a fundamental right. YONECO officers encouraged community members to take a leading role in shaping development efforts within their area.
Addressing concerns over limited citizen engagement, facilitators urged participants to be more proactive in holding leaders accountable by engaging with local authorities, including chiefs and Village Development Committees (VDCs), to monitor the implementation of development projects.
The officers stressed that accountability is key to ensuring transparency and effective service delivery, noting that leaders are more likely to perform their duties when they are answerable to the communities they serve. Participants were also reminded of their right to demand information and clarity from duty bearers regarding ongoing and planned development activities.
In addition, the session highlighted the role of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) as important platforms for reporting social issues such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child abuse, and child marriages.
