By George Chikhadwe and Owen Zayambika, MANA
Journalists Association Against Aids (JournAids), in collaboration with Community Initiative for Social Empowerment (CISE) on Monday hosted a media training for journalists based in Mchinji on how best to report on issues surrounding early and child marriages.
JournAids’ Programs Manager, Dingani Mithi said the project called ‘Enhancing Accountability in Tackling Early and Forced Marriages in Vulnerable Communities’, aims at increasing accountability on the part of duty bearers in Mchinji District in ending early child and forced marriages.
“Mchinji has been targeted because statistics have shown that it is one of the districts with a high prevalence rate of child marriages due to its proximity to the border with Zambia.
“A lot of young girls in the district are getting married at an early age to supplement their economic and social needs,” said Mithi.
He further said the training targeted journalists because they have power in shaping public opinion as well as policy making in the course of their work.
Director of Planning and Development for Mchinji District Council, Noel Dakamau commended JournAids and CISE for hosting the workshop in the district.
Dakamau further encouraged Mchinji-based journalists to fully investigate issues of early, child and forced marriage to fulfil their commitment and to bring about the desired change.
The one year project, funded by the Grand Challenges Canada project, is targeting areas of Traditional Authority Zulu and Senior Chief Mlonyeni in the district.