Improved case management is keeping children protected from harmful practices

In the rural landscapes of Malawi, where traditions often dictate the course of a child’s life, the menace of child labour, neglect, early marriages and defilement has long plagued communities.

For many children, education is but a distant dream, overshadowed by deeply ingrained cultural beliefs that see girls as destined for marriage and boys as providers through charcoal selling and manual labour.

However, a coordinated intervention to strengthen child protection, called case management approach, supported by funds for the Social Service Workforce, is contributing to changing the situation.

Through the national child protection system, child protection workers, social welfare officers and volunteers are working hand in hand to protect children, provide education, and empower communities to fight against child rights violations.

The results are visible: increased school attendance, reduced cases of child marriage, and communities that actively involved in safeguarding its young ones.

Doreen Munkhondia, child protection worker in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chiseka in Lilongwe, says many cases of child rights violation she handles in her area relate to child marriages, child labour, neglect, and defilement.

“Before the roll out of the national child protection system specifically the case management approach, it was culturally accepted that girls should not attend school,” she explains. “Many children were left to fend for themselves, with boys engaging in charcoal selling while young girls were mainly married off.”

Munkhondia says child abuse cases which are frequently reported require intervention beyond the local level.

“When a case arises at a children’s corner, community facilitators handle it first. If they cannot resolve it, they refer it to me, then we go to the household to administer case management tools and engage the people involved in the case.

“Based on the nature of the case, we escalate it to the police or community leaders, ensuring that justice is served,” she adds.

Under the project, UNICEF has provided case management training to 216 case workers in Lilongwe from May to August 2025, equipping the volunteers and child protection workers with the skills needed to address child rights violation issues.

The targeted communities are experiencing positive changes, with children being removed from harmful environments and given a second chance at life. By August 2025 alone, more than 40 girls were rescued from child marriages in Lilongwe and are now back in school.

Arnold Chidamkana, a dedicated case worker, notes the significant changes brought about by the UNICEF-supported training: “We now understand the importance of protecting children and counselling them to avoid engaging in harmful behaviours.

“After assessments and case planning, we can refer cases to various service providers including children’s corners where children are engaged in recreational activities like football and volleyball that keep them engaged and away from negative influences.”

Jamu Banda, another case worker, says child marriage has been a major challenge because some parents believe that once a child is impregnated, marriage must follow.

“But through civic education and the involvement of police and local leaders, we are gradually changing these perceptions,” he says. “We regularly hold case conferences as part of case management to discuss strategies to resolve such cases and end such practices.”

According to Banda, the role of community-based organizations and parents in case management has been critical to jointly work with case workers and child protection actors to protect vulnerable children.

Mercy Chikadza, a member of a mother group, says their involvement encourages children to attend school and participate in children’s corner activities.

“Some children return home from school to find no food, which affects their performance in class and discourages them from attending activities at children’s corners. We encourage parents to provide meals so that their children remain engaged and protected,” says Chakadza.

The UNICEF-supported child protection programme also supports the reintegration of young mothers into the education system.

“If a girl gets pregnant, we work with parents by engaging them in household and individual child assessment and development of case plans. For a girl who is pregnant, the aim is to ensure she returns to school after delivery. Instead of forcing her into child marriage, we advocate for parental support for her to continue schooling,” explains Dickson Chapendeka, another facilitator.