Abstract:
The high levels of poverty and HIV/AIDS in Malawi (Rena, 2007:1) have led to an
increase in the number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) (USAID, 2015:1). The
government of Malawi commits itself to protect children by implementing the National
Policy on Early Childhood Development (Department of Gender, Youth and Community
Services, 2003:3). However, child protection is not only the responsibility of
government. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have a critical role to play in child
protection and in doing so promote the socio-economic rights of OVC (Department of
Gender, Youth and Community Services, 2003:19). Social work is a human rights
profession (Keeney, Smart, Richards, Harrison, Carrillo & Valentine, 2014:4) and social
workers are key role players in child protection and responsible for upholding children’s
socio-economic rights.
The goal of the study was to explore and describe the role of the NGO, Chisomo
Children’s Club (CCC), in promoting socio-economic rights for OVC in Malawi.
The study was exploratory and used a qualitative research approach. The research
design used was instrumental case study. The sample was purposively selected and comprised of ten social workers from CCC as participants. Data was collected from the
social workers through one-to-one interviews. These interviews were guided by a semistructured
interview schedule.
The findings of the study indicate that participants have an understanding of children’s
socio-economic rights. While CCC are centred around promoting children’s rights to
education, protection, food and good health, the OVC do not always utilise the shelter
that the organisation provides or arranges as they often return to the streets.
The services at CCC are in alignment with the principles of the human rights-based
approach, namely participation, accountability, non-discrimination and empowerment
(Palmqvist, 2011:14). The study concludes that the lack of funding, uncoordinated
service delivery among different role players in child protection, and the lack of
adequate community involvement in child protection activities have a negative influence
on service rendering and consequently on promoting children’s socio-economic rights.
The recommendations include the need for CCC to explore more funding options
through government, international child protection agencies and embassies. There is a
need to establish a forum for stakeholders to join efforts in child protection.
Furthermore the community outreach programmes should be increased in order to
reduce income poverty of OVC households; and community campaigns to raise
awareness on OVC and how to become involved in child protection.
