By Jones Gadama
The Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare has taken a bold step to strengthen child protection and responsible parenting across Malawi with the launch of a new Parenting Toolkit designed specifically for faith leaders.
Honourable Mary Navicha, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, presided over the launch this week, describing the initiative as a critical intervention to equip churches, mosques and other faith institutions with practical skills to guide families and safeguard children.
The toolkit was developed by the Malawi Interfaith Association for Action with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund and other partners.
It directly responds to some of the most pressing social challenges facing communities today, including child labor, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, child abandonment, and mental health.
Speaking at the event, Minister Navicha commended faith leaders for their influence in communities and called on them to use the resource to promote values of love, discipline, and care in homes.
She noted that government cannot address these challenges alone and that collaboration with faith institutions is key to reaching every household.
Widely described by colleagues and community members as a humble and hardworking public servant, Navicha has earned praise for her open-door approach and willingness to interact with everyone from traditional leaders to youth groups.
During the launch, she moved through the gathering, listening to concerns from faith representatives and pledging continued government support for programs that protect the most vulnerable.
UNICEF Country Director Dr. Penelope Campbell welcomed the toolkit, saying it provides evidence-based guidance on positive parenting, immunization, and child health while also helping to counter harmful misinformation.
She urged faith institutions to integrate the materials into sermons, counseling sessions, and youth programs to ensure the messages reach families at the grassroots. Dr. Campbell further announced plans to translate the toolkit into local languages to broaden access across all regions.
Stakeholders at the launch hailed the partnership between government, interfaith bodies and UNICEF as a model for tackling social issues.
They said the toolkit gives religious leaders the right language and tools to speak on difficult topics with compassion and authority.
Minister Navicha reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to working with all sectors to create safe and nurturing environments for children, persons with disabilities, and women.
She said the DPP-led government under President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika remains focused on investing in people, and that empowering parents and caregivers is central to that vision.
With the rollout of the Parenting Toolkit, the Ministry hopes to see stronger families, reduced cases of abuse, and healthier communities where every child is protected, valued, and given an opportunity to thrive.
