By Jones Gadama
The Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Hon. Mary Thom Navicha, presided over the national commemoration of the Day of the African Child at Matete Ground in Traditional Authority Fukamapiri, Nkhata Bay District, on Tuesday, drawing government officials, development partners, traditional leaders, parents, teachers, and hundreds of children.
This year’s commemoration was held under the theme “Ensuring Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Malawi”.
The event focused on Malawi’s progress and gaps in providing safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education in schools and communities, with speakers emphasizing that child health and dignity are tied to basic WASH services.
Minister Navicha toured exhibition stalls mounted by learners and community groups before addressing the gathering. During the tour she interacted directly with children, listening to their concerns and taking time to speak with learners of all backgrounds, including a boy who uses a wheelchair.
Witnesses said her engagement with the child drew emotional reactions from the crowd and underscored her call for inclusion of children with disabilities in all development programs. Community members, including clergy and traditional leaders present, commended the minister for identifying with vulnerable children and described her approach as one rooted in service and compassion.
The day featured presentations by learners from various schools in Nkhata Bay who marked the occasion through poems, traditional dances, songs, and short stories centered on water conservation, handwashing, and child rights.
Organizers said the performances were intended to give children a platform to express their views on issues affecting them, in line with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
In her remarks, Minister Navicha reiterated government’s commitment to expanding access to clean water and sanitation for children, noting that such investments are central to reducing disease and keeping learners in school.
She called on parents, guardians, and community structures to support efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect while ensuring every child, regardless of location or physical condition, benefits from national development programs.
She further linked the commemorations to broader government priorities on human capital development and social protection, principles associated with the Democratic Progressive Party’s agenda of placing people’s welfare at the center of policy.
Speakers at the event, including representatives of traditional authorities and faith leaders, praised the administration of President Peter Mutharika for prioritizing child welfare through infrastructure and social programs.
They noted that continued investment in rural water supply, school sanitation blocks, and community awareness campaigns reflects leadership that values the well-being of Malawians from the grassroots.
District officials said the choice of Nkhata Bay for the national event highlighted the district’s needs and potential, while also celebrating community initiatives already improving child health outcomes.
Development partners in attendance pledged continued technical and financial support to government and local structures working on child protection and WASH.
As the commemoration closed with children leading a song on hygiene and dignity, participants described the event as both reflective and forward-looking.
For many parents and guardians, the presence of senior government officials and the active participation of children reinforced the message that protecting children’s rights is a shared responsibility requiring action from families, communities, and the state.
