Stakeholders tout Salima Children’s Parliament

With funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) through Save the Children Malawi, the Women’s Legal Resources Centre conducted a two-day Children’s Parliamentary Session in Salima, offering a vital platform for children to voice issues that directly impact their lives.

Speaking at the event, held under the CSOs Capacity Strengthening Programme implemented in the district, Salima District Council Acting Director of Administration, Light Burtone, expressed optimism that the third session of the Children’s Parliament would help address some of the district’s pressing challenges.

"This event is important as it brings to light various issues that hinder children in our society. Children are facing different forms of hardships that need to be addressed," he said.

Among the issues raised were lack of support for children's education, highlighting concerns such as shortage of teaching and learning materials, inadequate classrooms, and other critical infrastructure gaps. The children also talked about harmful cultural norms such as early marriages.

This year's Salima District Children's Parliament was held under the theme: Budgeting for Children's Rights: A Step toward Malawi 2063!

WOLREC Board Chairperson Sekaninge Kaliati. highlighted child poverty, early marriages, and child labour as some of the challenges facing children that remain prevalent, particularly in rural communities.

"The future of our nation must be built on a strong foundation that protects and upholds children's rights — because every child is the seed of tomorrow.

"Girls continue to drop out of school due to early pregnancies and continued child marriages. Child labour and abuse, including harmful traditional practices, are still common in many areas. These challenges require deliberate, targeted planning and budgeting that put children’s needs first," she emphasised.

Kaliati reaffirmed WOLREC’s commitment to working with the government to promote children’s rights through child-sensitive national budgets.

WOLREC Executive Director Maggie Kathewera Banda hailed the achievements of the Sida-funded CSOs Capacity Strengthening Programme in Salima, saying it was inspiring to see children confidently express issues affecting their lives.

The programme launched in 2023, has strengthened children’s democratic skills, influenced policy changes, and improved engagement between children, schools, and government. It is scheduled to phase out in September 2025.

"As WOLREC, we will continue engaging duty bearers in Salima and lobbying the government to institutionalise children’s participation in various projects. We want initiatives such as the Children’s Parliament to become an integral part of government planning,” said Kathewera Banda.

Leah Phiri, Save the Children Project and Partnership Manager for the Sida CSOs Programme, echoed Kathewera Banda's sentiments, urging the government to make the Children’s Parliament a national platform.

On his part, Eric Kenamu, Salima District Council Director of Economic Planning and Development, said strategies are in place to sustain the initiative beyond the project’s closure.

On his part, Eric Kenamu, Salima District Council Director of Economic Planning and Development, said strategies are in place to sustain the initiative beyond the project’s closure.