Malawi govt spends K400bn to fight child violence

Government says it spends a whooping K400 billion (US$800m) in its battle to end violence against children with the bulk of the money going towards campaigns and civic education against the vice.

Mary Shaba, principal secretary for the ministry of Gender, Child welfare and the Elderly said there was need for continued cooperation between the government and other stakeholders to root out and defeat completely the violence against children.

The government is fighting the battle on two fronts, fighting violence against women and violence against children.

“Forty percent of all Malawians experienced some sort of violence before the age of 18,” said Shaba.

She said one in every five girls and one in every seven boys experiences some sort of sexual harassment before the age 18 and two in every three boys were physically abused and one in every four boys were emotionally abused.

Shaba therefore welcomed an initiative by Malawi Interfaith Aids grouping to hold national prayers for children’s rights on December 20 to create awareness on the rights of children.