Sub Inspector Innocent Banda, a Child Protection Officer at the Chitedze Police Unit, praises the transformative impact of UNICEF Child Protection Project implemented by ArtGlo. Before the campaign, many people in the community within the police unit’s jurisdiction did not know how to respond when faced with child abuse. “People would wait for four or five days before reporting cases to the police,” he says. Thanks to the awareness raised by ArtGlo, the community is now better informed, and people are acting more swiftly when such incidents occur.
Banda points to several key achievements of the project. One of the most significant is the prosecution of individuals perpetuating child rights violations, ensuring they face justice. Additionally, he highlights how the initiative, in collaboration with child protection committees, has successfully halted numerous early child marriages, a widespread issue in the area.
Despite these successes, Banda acknowledges that challenges remain. “We often lack the resources needed to reach communities in need of these campaigns. The distance we need to travel requires funding, which is often scarce,” he explains. Banda also emphasizes the need for more resources to provide adequate support services to survivors of child abuse, noting that without these, the full impact of the interventions is limited.
Rape and child neglect remain among the most prominent issues in the fight against child violations. However, Banda, alongside stakeholders such as social welfare workers, teachers, and healthcare professionals, is determined to continue the battle. His goal is not just to minimize child abuse, but to eradicate it entirely from the community.
Through ArtGlo’s activities, the community around TA Njewa has seen a shift in how child abuse is understood and addressed. Banda’s resolve, strengthened by the program’s achievements, illustrates the critical role that awareness and collaboration play in protecting children and ensuring a safer future for them.
