Chitipa Police Station and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) have teamed up to conduct awareness campaigns on child rights in schools in Chitipa District.
Community Policing Coordinator for Chitipa Police Station, Inspector Frightone Kundimbule, said that the campaign is aimed at safeguarding the right of children to education in the Chitipa district.
In an interview after touring three schools namely; Naviziba, Yamba and Lufita Primary schools on Thursday, Kundimbule warned School Management Committees, Parent Teacher’s Associations and learners on the dangers of early marriages, teen pregnancies and child trafficking.
“The law of the land will be applied to those involved in forcing children into early marriages. It is the responsibility of every person to protect children,” Kundimbule said.
He, therefore, advised learners on the importance of utilising suggestion boxes which have been placed in the schools to report any abuse they encounter for assistance.
On her part, Gender Coordinator for CCJP Karonga Diocese responsible for Chitipa, Janet Mhango, concurred with Kundimbule on the need to protect children from abuse.
Mhango highlighted children’s right to education and the negative effects of hiding cases of child abuse.
Headteacher for Lufita Primary School, Elifa Chiona, hailed Chitipa Police and CCJP for the awareness campaign targeting schools, which she said will help to foster a good relationship between teachers and learners.
“The awareness campaigns will help our learners as well as teachers to improve their relationships. Most of the learners have been reminded of their rights, which is paramount,” Chiona said.
CCJP is implementing a three-year Gender Sensibilisation and Safeguarding Project, which is being funded by Miserier in Germany in conjunction with the Diocese of Muenster.