Malawi’s Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati, has expressed sadness over the rise in the number of gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse cases following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kaliati, Development Diaries gathered, expressed concern over this development while addressing issues tied to gender, children, disability, community development, and the elderly at a press briefing.

She said , ‘The ministry has noted that closure of schools as a result of Covid-19 pandemic has left most young people idle which has led to increased cases of teen pregnancies, early marriages, drug and substance abuse, and gambling’.

The minister added that the ministry has taken consideration of the issues and is working with various stakeholders to deal with the challenges.

It was noted that one of the ways of addressing the challenges is the introduction of educational radio programmes.

However, Kaliati promised to assist vulnerable children by working with their families and supporting them with skills development.

She said, ‘I would like to report that the Disability Trust Fund has K200 million which will be used to support programmes and activities for persons with disabilities. I would also like to pledge my continued support to the association of persons with albinism to ensure that they enjoy their rights like everybody else’.

Kaliati added that she will sustain the social cash transfer programme to benefit vulnerable Malawians.

Source: Mana Online

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