How to Report Child Abuse and Child Marriage in Malawi

You can report child abuse, exploitation or neglect through the national child helpline.² For child labour specifically, report to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare authorities.³ In cases of serious crimes like rape, engage formal law enforcement agencies such as the Police.³ Community members, guardians or concerned parties can all lodge complaints.³ Local chiefs and nearby police officers can be sensitized to help report cases of abuse or child labour in your area.³

Support for vulnerable children

Vulnerable children—including orphans, children in the street, and children in hazardous environments—can access coordinated support services.⁵ The Department of Child Affairs coordinates partners providing services such as education support, protection from abuse and exploitation, strengthening family and community capacities to care for vulnerable children, and building institutional capacity to respond to their problems.⁵

Child marriage and early pregnancy

The country is coordinating a national response to ending child marriages, as rates remain high.⁹ Children’s parliaments operate in communities to allow children to raise issues including high early marriage cases and school drop-out to district committees for action.⁸

Community involvement

Communities can integrate child protection awareness into local activities and by-laws, and conduct regular monitoring of labour practices.³ Sensitization meetings on the Child Care Protection and Justice Act are held at community, school and early childhood development centre levels to help parents, caregivers and service providers understand their responsibility to report and support cases of child abuse.⁶