The Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, has warned Parliament that rising cases of child sexual abuse in Malawi have reached alarming levels, describing the situation as a national crisis that demands urgent action.
Presenting a ministerial statement, Navicha said cases of sex with minors and child abuse are increasing and pose a serious threat to children’s safety, dignity, and future, stressing that protecting children is a collective responsibility.
She noted with concern that perpetrators are often not strangers but people known to the victims, including family members, relatives, neighbours, and trusted community figures, with many cases occurring in homes and schools.
The Minister said child sexual abuse has devastating and long-term effects, including trauma, depression, anxiety, poor academic performance, and in some cases suicide, warning that it also undermines national development.
She added that the abuse contributes to broader social challenges such as poverty, child marriages, inequality, HIV and AIDS, and weak social cohesion within communities.
Navicha cited several disturbing cases reported in February, including incidents in Zomba, Mchinji, Blantyre, Machinga, and Dedza involving abuse by relatives, teachers, a community leader, and even a police officer.
She emphasized that these are only reported cases, noting that many more remain hidden due to fear, stigma, and threats, while cases involving boys are also underreported.
In response, the government is strengthening laws and working with justice authorities to impose stiffer penalties, including proposals to make child sexual abuse offences non-bailable and improve enforcement systems.
The Ministry is also establishing district-level response teams, scaling up awareness campaigns, improving reporting systems, and expanding support services such as counselling, medical care, and legal assistance for survivors.
Navicha further warned against parental neglect, urging citizens to report abuse through established channels, and called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure every child in Malawi is safe and protected.
