Community leaders at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District have asked for collaboration to protect the rights of children at the camp.

Speaking on Saturday at the camp during commemoration of the Day of the African Child,one of the leaders, Romain Binjangala, said gender-based violence, including early marriages and defilement, continue to threaten the future of the camp’s 17 000 children.

He asked parents, community leaders and civil society organisations to work together to protect children from abuse.

Children perform during the commemoration at Dzaleka Refugee Camp

Said Binjangala: “Some parents marry off their children, thereby denying them the right to education.

“Sadly, some parents in the camp do not know about gender-based violence, as such, we sensitise them to abolish such practices. If we unite, we can end the harmful cultural practices fuelling child abuse.”

Plan Malawi Break Free project manager Joseph Maere, whose organisation is implementing various interventions to promote children’s right at the camp, said some children are not able to access education at the camp.

He said: “Defilement is another issue affecting children at the camp. However, there are service providerssuch as social welfare officers, a magistrate’s court and others to offer assistance to victims.

“As Plan Malawi, we have implemented many interventions at the camp to improve the welfare of children.”

Dowa district social welfare assistant Felistus Ngalande said in collaboration with Plan Malawi and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, they are implementing policies to protect children from violence or abuse.

The Day of the African Child is commomerated on June 16 every year, but Dzaleka Refugee Camp commemorated the day on Saturday.

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