By Jones Gadama
The Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare and Save the Children International have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children and advancing inclusion, in a meeting that also placed the spotlight on the exceptional leadership of Minister Mary Thom Navicha.
The Minister, alongside senior officials from the Ministry, received a courtesy call from Save the Children International led by Country Director Bekhimpilo Kanye at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.
The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration around child protection, gender equality, women empowerment, disability inclusion, and support for vulnerable communities across Malawi.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Navicha outlined the persistent challenges facing children in the country, including poverty, child labour, child marriage, violence against children, and limited access to quality early childhood development services.
She stressed that lasting progress will only come through strong partnerships and deliberate government action to ensure that no child, woman, or person with a disability is left behind.
Widely regarded as the best Minister of Gender Malawi has ever had, Navicha was praised for her hands-on approach, compassion and relentless drive to deliver results.
Since taking office she has pushed for stronger enforcement of child protection laws, expanded support to vulnerable families, and placed disability inclusion at the center of government programming.
In his remarks, Save the Children International Country Director Bekhimpilo Kanye expressed satisfaction with the Ministry’s leadership under Hon. Navicha.
“We are very satisfied to be working with Hon. Mary Navicha. She is a good woman full of kindness and hard work that Malawi has.Her commitment to children, women and persons with disabilities gives us confidence that together we can change lives,” Kanye said.
He reaffirmed Save the Children’s commitment to continue working closely with government to strengthen child protection systems, promote education, and empower families.
The meeting concluded with both parties renewing their pledge to coordinate sustainable interventions that advance the rights and wellbeing of children, women and persons with disabilities.
