Malawi launches early childhood
education week
The
Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Jennifer Chilunga has
recently launched the 2012 National Early Childhood Development Awareness Week.
The week will comprise of several activities aimed at promoting early childhood
development (ECD), which Chilunga emphasizes, helps children excel in school as
well as become more successful later in life.
Recently
the Malawi government has put more emphasis on ECD starting with an increase in
ECD policies and an increase in the amount of education centers available
throughout the country. These programs seek to protect and promote children’s
rights to develop emotionally, socially, and physically, to their potential.
Yet
despite this progress, nearly 65% of children in Malawi do not have access to
these Early Childhood Development facilities and resources. However the government
and other enterprises have come together to create the National Advocacy and
Communication Strategy in 2009 to increase public awareness and to seek more
funding for these ECD programs.
Government wants 80% of all sexually active men
circumcised
As
another measure to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, the Malawi government plans to
circumcise 80% of sexually active men from the age of fifteen to forty-nine.
The Deputy Health Minister announced this policy of national voluntary medical
male circumcision last week. This additional measure was advised by the World
Health Organization to the government of Malawi.
Deputy
Health Minister stated the importance of male circumcision as a part of a
comprehensive plan to thwart the spread of this disease, which also includes
other methods of protection, including male and female condoms.
While
this large-scale program has been controversial in this more conservative
country, governmental officials are convinced of the benefits that voluntary
male circumcision could mean for the country. Currently, this policy is
implemented in nine pilot districts, including one called Mulanje where the
estimated infection rate hovers at 17%.
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