Malawi’s NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGOCCR) has emphasized the need for an increased investment in the social sector to address various challenges that children face to improve their well-being.
The coalition has also recommended that there should be continuous monitoring of government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that implement programs that have aspects of children to appreciate if they are using the allocated funding effectively and efficiently.
NGOCCR Project Officer Faith Iwalani made the recommendation at the ongoing Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) CSO Programme Regional Learning Workshop in Lilongwe.
“It is important to conduct budget monitoring and tracking on child social services to promote accountability and transparency on government expenditures. There is also a need to continuously conduct high-level interface and advocacy meetings to ensure that the funds allocated for children are increased,” said Iwalani.
She also recommended that CSOs should conduct budget analysis on child-friendly budgets in advocating for an increased financing on child-related issues since the analysis is evidence-based.
Iwalani also called for the involvement of various stakeholders sin conducting the budget analysis as it shows a united front amongst the CSOs and NGOs in Malawi.
Malawi is hosting the regional learning workshop, which ends on Friday this week. The workshop attracted participants from Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Malawi.