The Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare; Honourable Clement Mkumbwa stated that Malawi will continue intensifying efforts towards ensuring that the rights and welfare of children are promoted in the country.
Honourable Mkumbwa made these remarks in his key note address that marked the official opening of the Conference on Parenting at Sun and Sand Holiday Resort in Mangochi.
“the laws and policies that Malawi has enacted as well as hosting the Parenting Confere for the second time speaks volumes of how committed Malawi is towards promoting child rights” said honourable Mkumbwa.
The conference brought together Civil Society Organisations, practitioners in child protection, knowledge and research institutions, policy makers from Africa and beyond. Among others, the conference attracted delegates from Zimbabwe, Republic of South Africa, Canada, Maurituaios, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
The conference was held under the theme; Child Online Safety and Security – Ending Online Violence against Children. In line with the theme of the conference, the Honourable Deputy Minister also acknowledged the fact that internet greatly contribute towrds increased cases of children’s vulnerability to violence in so many ways.
In his closing remarks, the Board Chairperson for YONECO, Proffessor Dixie Maluwa Banda stated that everyoneis responsible for protecting children’s rights. He further urged all participants to raise awareness on the importance of protecting children from violence.
The conference was organised by the Malawi governement through the Ministry of Gender Children Disability and Social Welfare, Parenting in Africa Network (PAN) Malawi Chapter, Malawi and Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO), SOS Children’s Villages. The objectives of the conference were to: romote learning and sharing among stakeholders on promising practices across the region; launch country specific campaigns on online violence against children; increase knowledge on the use of technology in enhancing safety of children; as well as to create awareness on existing national, regional and Africa wide legislative framework. The conference was held from 23 to 26 October, 2017.
