UNICEF launches project to fight child abuse

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has embarked on a three-year project to fight child abuse in Malawi. The US $3.5 million project, funded by the Norwegian government, will tackle issues such child labour, juvenile justice and violence against children, UNICEF representative Aida Girma told IRIN on Wednesday. "The worst victims of abuse are orphans, because they have nobody to protect them ... this project is aimed at creating an enabling environment, for the children to operate in a violence-free atmopshere," she said. UNICEF will work with civil society and government, especially in the area of capacity building and training workers to implement the programmes, Girma said. "We are happy that the government has seen the problem, and that it is ready to support the project. But I am sorry to say that most teachers abuse children in schools and, instead of the Ministry of Education taking action against them, they are transferred to another school. This is bad and it increases the problem," she said. UNICEF's Head of Social Policy, Advocacy and Communication, Gopal Sharma, said, "All forms of exploitation of children should be stopped, and this can be achieved if we all join hands together and take immediate action." He said UNICEF was working with 37 police units that support victims of violence throughout the country. President Bingu wa Mutharika said last Saturday, "We should be listening to the concerns of the youth and engage them in dialogue to address their problems." He stressed his government's commitment to dealing with any form of abuse or violation of child rights.