Kaliati raises ‘concern’ with child sex offences, trafficking in Malawi

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare , Patricia Kaliati has expressed “concern “ over increasing rates of defilement and child trafficking in the country, the vices it says frustrates efforts to properly develop the children into full potential.

Kaliati:sexual offences against children have increased
Kaliati: Sexual offences against children have increased

Speaking the during commemoration of 2015 International Literacy Day held at Yamba Primary School, in the area of Traditional Authority Mwaulambia in Chitipa District, Kaliati called the rise in sexual crime a “concern”.

Kaliati observed that defilement, child traffic coupled by forced early marriages have become worst form of human rights abuses, especially on a girl child.

Said Kaliati: “Government is so concerned that girls in most parts of Malawi are subjected to abuses that range from defilement, child trafficking and being pushed into early marriages, which is a paramount violation to their rights to education.”

Kaliati, however, blamed the rampant cases of abuse of girls rights especially defilement on lenient penalties meted out by the courts on defilement suspects.

”The only way to curb this barbaric practices is to impose stiffer penalty on the suspects to scare away those who intend to commit the same offenses,” said Kaliati, attracting applause from women folks.

The Minister then coaxed state prosecutors and magistrates to collaborate in settling for maximum penalties for defilement and child traffic suspects.

Marriage, Divorce and Family Reactions Act, which Parliament passed recently, criminalizes marriages involving girls below the ages 18 years and a husband and all that took part in arranging such marriages are attracting life imprisonment as maximum penalty, similar to a punishment child trafficking suspect would go away with under   Section 79 of Child Care Protection and Justice Act .

Kaliati then commended NGO, Malawi Human Right resource Center (MHRRC) for its commitment in fighting for the rights of women and a girl child.

“As government, we acknowledge and applause efforts by MHRR in fighting for the rights of women and girls, especially in the areas of gender based violence (GBVs), which is a big relief to us,” said Kaliati.

In her remarks, MHRRC Programme Manger, Emma Kalia said her organization will continue complementing government efforts in promoting the welfare of women and children.

Kaliya, also Chair person for Gender Coordinating Network, however, pleaded with government to engage traditional leaders, who are custodians of culture, to re-fine or do away with cultural practices that undermine the dignity of a girl child, such as ‘lobola’

Said Kalia:“ Most families push little girls into child marriages to improve household economy through dowry wealth under a practice known as ‘lobola’

Kaliati emphasized on the need for parents to encourage their little girls to remain in school so that they become self reliant and responsible citizens of Malawi.

She described education as the best empowerment a girl child would want to live an independent and sustainable life.

She also strongly appealed to people who missed basic education during their childhood to enroll with functional classes to acquire knowledge that will help them venture into business that will improve their household economy.

“When you are literate, you will be able to venture into various enterprises that will render you self reliant, and this will exempt you from over dependency on husbands as bread winners and you will not be victims of domestic violence,” Kaliati told the women.

Chitipa District Commissioner, Grace Chirwa hailed government for introducing adult literacy classes, a programme she said was strategic in the enhancement of socioeconomic development of the nation.

She said it were only literate citizens who can ably and significantly contribute to the development of the nation.

During the function, cerebrated under the Theme: ‘Literacy, Foundation for Sustainable Societies’ the National Library which has all along been supporting adult literacy programme, donated supplementary books and novels to Yamba Primary School to the tune of K1.5 million.

The day’s function was marked by displays from women in business, samples of adult literacy classes, issuance of certificates to adult literacy graduates, testimonies by old graduates, drama, poem recital, traditional dances, all disseminating messages on the benefits of functional classes.

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Harvey
Harvey
9 years ago

umbuli wachulukadi inu mungamuze Kaliati kuti asiye zomwe akukamba koma akambe za zachitetezo ndizachuma? Kulibe nduna yazimenezo?

Zabwino yamikani amalawi, Kaliati ndinduna yochangalama athakukwanitsa kugwila ngatinduna munduna wosianasiana atasinthidwa. Keep it up madam!!

Mzungumbuli
Mzungumbuli
9 years ago

Am personally tired of this Mkando girl- Kaliyati. She is a liabillity to the government and not an asset. Empty tins ………………………………………..noise.

mdk
mdk
9 years ago

Umbuli wachuluka pa Malawi it is so sad.the comments here just proves it

UNECA
9 years ago

Koma akweni simukukongola nthupi lanu lilikuti azungu aja ndichibadwa.

redeemed
redeemed
9 years ago

Some of the comments here leave much to be desired. You surely do not expect everyone to abandon his or her responsibilities to focus a single project of poverty economic improvement. There are surely people who are appointed to do so. Social responsibility is one of the most crucial roles in any country. I am glad that some one is taking the bull by its horn on this issue. Malawi has indeed the highest statistics of paedofiles. In the past this problem was overlooked. If we are to realize a better future economically and socially we must eradicate any form… Read more »

sain it like it is
sain it like it is
9 years ago

oh yes csn we also raise concern about your face?this is getting out of hand wtf?

fyaupe
fyaupe
9 years ago

Ndoza nzanga wakachasu ndi kindi uyu

Malawi gin
Malawi gin
9 years ago

Daily the issue from kaliati is about defilement zaziiiiiii. Instead of concetrating on how to curb the economic ailments the country is undergoing.

nachisale
nachisale
9 years ago

Super minister who is always active and does not fear advancing the agenda for women empowerment. Yes, married need to look for satisfaction elsewhere if husbands can’t leave up to their marital obligation. Lobola or dowry is an outdated cultural practice which needs yo be abandoned. We now have women who are high earners and breadwinners who do not need to be dominated by men.

Jang'ala
9 years ago

Siyani zonsezo start concetrating on security issues bcoz nowdays the World is becoming unsafe to live in. Terrorist are preparing to attack the world. Be aware of that pls.

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