Women Caucus Wants Government To Sack Teachers Who Abuse Girls

Hon Jessie Kabwila making comments

Women Caucus of Parliament has urged government authorities in Education sector to sack all teachers found guilty of sexual abuse of girls and stop transferring them elsewhere.

The Caucus was reacting after watching Mwayi Wotsiriza (Last Chance) movie screened at parliament building on Wednesday evening.

“When a teacher has been found guilty of molesting and sexually abusing a girl child, the punishment that they get is to be moved somewhere else. There is need to stop transfer offenders because there are laws which punish those offenders and that we shouldn’t transfer those teachers.” Said Honorable Jessie Kabwila, Chairperson for Women Caucus

“As Women Caucus we want to make it clear, there should be no Last Chances for Teachers who abuse girl children. Once they do this there is need for strong punitive measures that will make people stop.” She added

However, through discussions that took place after watching the movie, female parliamentarians also expressed their disappointment over the absence of Ministry of Education officials at the screening although invitation was sent to them.

The Caucus noted number of areas in education sector exposed in the film which they would have wanted the Ministry of Education officials to see and answer their questions on how it is addressing those problems and on various problems which the Caucus feel may hinder girl child education.

Hon Patricia Shanil making omments

The Caucus mentioned recently introduced Secondary and College fees and how it neatly link to how long a girl child stays in school. The group emphasized that it was wrong to introduce or hike fees when there is looming hunger. They argued that there is ample proof that for the girl child, fees can be the very reason that teachers can use to abuse underprivileged girls.

It was also noted that there is poor working conditions which includes; poor salaries, bad housing, and late salaries of teachers a problem which has led to underperformance of teachers and increased sexual abuse of girls in schools. All these were supposed to be answered by the Ministry.

However Kabwila has said the Caucus will issue to the ministry a document that will highlight and "makes it very clear" that teaching service in Malawi has no place for a teacher who abuses the girl child.

“We will also make a strong case of the linkage between fees payment at Secondary Schools how that is going to increase child marriages and dropout rates in schools if nothing is done to assist the parents who cannot afford  to take their children to school.” Said Kabwila

Efforts to find out from the Ministry of Education officials on their failure  to show up at the parliament did not yield as the Spokesperson for the ministry was not picking up the phone call.

Mwayi Wotsiriza by Theatre International is a film about sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools. In the film, a frustrated teacher ‘propositions’ a daughter of an economically vulnerable rural woman and impregnates her. The system, already baffled by inadequacy of teaching staff, has to find a way of disciplining him.

Timveni Asks Salima Communities To Protect, Support Girl Child

Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation has urged parents and members of communities of Salima District to work together in ending numerous challenges facing adolescent girls in the district.

Mary Karen Mhango, Project Officer for Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation, made the call at Katelera primary school, during the annual commemorations of International Day of the Girl Child which falls on 11th October every year.

This year’s theme ‘The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030’, focuses on adolescent girls and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), which set a range of international targets including on gender equality to be achieved by 2030.

“Salima is one district that is facing challenges when it comes to girl’s education.” Noted Mhango, “Most girls are being taken by boys from South Africa, fishermen and vendors who come here to buy or sell different things. And the most unfortunate thing is that parents are also forcing their girl child to go for marriage.” She said

She added that these challenges are also preventing girls from living a normal life in their communities and that in most cases girls remain in fear of violence at school, in home, on street or as a result of forced marriages which she said are common.

Timveni’s Project Officer, Mhango then underscored the importance of community efforts in protecting, supporting and encourage girls to remain in school so that they also achieve their dreams.

“We have to end all practices that hinder girls from continuing with their education. We must work together in ending these forced early marriages, gender based violence and other forms of harassment in schools” she appealed

During the day which also saw good participation from boys and members of communities, girls had opportunity to talk and sing songs that highlight number of challenges they face and on importance of educating the girl child.

In the evening, parents, pupils, teachers and people from surrounding communities of Katelera primary school, debated and discussed ways of ending challenges that girls are experiencing in the area just after watching a local movie ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ produced by Theatre International which highlights the plight of girls and teachers in Malawi.

The screening of ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ (also set to be screened at Malawi’s National Assembly Wednesday this week for Women Caucus and other NGO’s), on International Day of the Girl Child was intended to show people that issues told during the day are real and happen.

“This movie highlights most challenges that girls are facing.” said Mhango “It is talking about the girl being disturbed in her education. Sometimes when you say things about challenges that girls face in school, people don’t really understand. So, movie brings in reality of issues that we are talking to them because through it people can see and come up with different solutions. So the movie can help enlighten communities and see the need to take an action”

Local Fim Producers Asked To Promote Local Languages

The Malawi Government has urged Local film producers to make high quality movies which promote local language and culture.

 

Maluwaya

McDonald Maluwaya, the Chief Arts Officer in the Ministry of Sports and Culture made the remarks following the recent launch of local film, Mwayi Wotsiriza by Theatre International.

While expressing government commitment to continue with number of programs that promote the film industry in the country, Maluwaya emphasized that local film industry must promote local language which is essential in making easy communication with people in the rural areas.

The Chief Arts Officer in the Ministry of Sports and Culture McDonald Maluwaya, emphasized that local languages have to be used in local movies in promoting and preserving languages and culture as well as to disseminate messages.

He indicated that through this, artistic industry can take Malawi culture and languages to international community.

His reaction came following last Friday’s premiering of a local movie ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ by Theatre International, performed in Chichewa but has English and French subtitles.

Mwayi Wotsiriza is a film about sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools.

The Chief Arts Officer also pledged government efforts in ending challenges that the film industry is facing in the country such as lack of formalized markets, growing rates of piracy, high costs of producing movie and also technical expertise.

“It is against this background that government is currently financing an integrated arts development programme being implemented by the copyright society of Malawi COSOMA and the Department of Culture to ease, some of these challenges existing in the creative industries.” said Maluwaya

Maluwaya added that the programme among others involve four main projects which are establishment of Art School, Aluso Savings and Credit Cooperative, Aluso Production and Marketing Cooperative and the National Arts and Heritage council.

“So this is a good news for in the creative industry. I would therefore like to ask the Producers of Mwayi Wotsiriza to explore how they can benefit from this provision of the Integrated Arts Development Programme to promote the film industry” He said

He then mentioned that in due course government will launch and implement the National Cultural Policy following the Cabinet approval of in February. He said the policy provides that there be a National Arts and Heritage Council established.

Government Commends ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ Movie For Promoting Local Language

McDonald Maluwaya: We want more local language fims

Malawi Government has commended Theatre International (TI) for promoting local language and art in its movie 'Mwayi Wotsiriza'.

Performed in Chichewa language but has English and French subtitles, Mwayi Wotsiriza weaves its themes around sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools.

Chimombo, Maluwaya, Luhanga: watching the movie

"We really need these kind of movies in Malawi. As a country we would like to have more films produced in our vernacular languages as it has been done in this film"Said McDonald Maluwaya, the Chief Arts Officer in the Ministry of Sports and Culture at the end of premiering of the film last Friday night at Golden Peacock Hotel in the Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

“The mission….the vision…. Superb! The strategy…all wonderful! And what touches me the most is the idea of promoting cultural expression while appealing to the minds of the international world...” He added.

Maluwaya who was the guest of honor at the event then promised that government will continue with number of programs that promote the film industry in the country and also to end challenges that the film industry is facing in the country such as lack of formalized markets, growing rates of piracy, high costs of producing movie and also technical expertise.

In the film, a frustrated teacher ‘propositions’ a daughter of an economically vulnerable rural woman and impregnates her. The system, already baffled by inadequacy of teaching staff, has to find a way of disciplining him.

Reactions after watching the 1 hour movie, from the audience who filled the hall were mainly good appraisal to directors and producers for making a realistic and quality work which they said is a true representation of current plight of primary schools teachers and girls as well as how communities often responds to such situations.

“This is a remarkable work. It reflects reality on the ground in our communities and towns. And it ends on the good note.” one of the woman in the audience said.

Some of the reactions were questions to invited government officials from Ministry of Education and Ministry of Gender on how education system responds to the situation presented in the film, on girl child protection and how best can people respond to those situations.

Others made their observations by presenting real stories similar to situations presented in the movie while sharing some best practices that other few communities are doing in dealing with such problems. And more importantly, there were comments with proposed solutions and call for action by every person.

Chimombo: We are aware of the challenges

When responding to some of the questions from the audience, one of the invited guests at the launch, Dr. Joseph Chimombo, Director of Basic Education in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, acknowledged that Mwayi Wotsiriza highliths almost all challenges being faced at the moment in the education sector.

“As Government we are aware of these problems. We are very much concerned and we are at the moment working hard to end them.” He said

Later, the undersecretary for the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social welfare Dr. Austin Owen Luhanga indicated that the ministry is also at the moment making number of strides to ensure that a girl child is being protected by mentioning that government has hired a full-time lawyer in the ministry who will be dealing with issues of violence against women and girls.

The Artistic Director for Theatre International Chancy Mauluka said the movie was inspired by his encounter with one teacher ‘victimized’ by the system and one girl victimized by the victimized teacher in Kasungu District.

Mauluka says the movie aims at inciting debate on how Malawi can effectively deal with some of these problems including on reporting channels when such issues arise and how communities can solve such problems.

“This movie is something that can be used for social development and is a good example of communication for social change” said Mauluka who thanked audience for coming in high numbers and appreciated their reaction to the film

‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ Movie Gets Grand Welcome From Audience, Government

Mwayi Wotsiriza Actors

Local movie, ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ by Theatre International (TI) has received an impressive reception on Friday night at Golden Peacock Hotel in the Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe where the film was screening for the first time.

Mwayi Wotsiriza is a film about sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools. In the film, a frustrated teacher ‘propositions’ a daughter of an economically vulnerable rural woman and impregnates her. The system, already baffled by inadequacy of teaching staff, has to find a way of disciplining him.

Reactions after watching the 1 hour movie, from the audience who filled the hall were mainly good appraisal to directors and producers for making a realistic and quality work which they said is a true representation of current plight of primary schools teachers and girls as well as how communities often responds to such situations.

Female member of audience making comments

“This is a remarkable work. It reflects reality on the ground in our communities and towns. And it ends on the good note.” one of the woman in the audience said. 

Male Audience member making comments to the film

There were a lot of comments from the audience

Some of the reactions were questions to invited government officials from Ministry of Education and Ministry of Gender on how education system responds to the situation presented in the film, on girl child protection and how best can people respond to those situations.

Others made their observations by presenting real stories similar to situations presented in the movie while sharing some best practices that other few communities are doing in dealing with such problems. And more importantly, there were comments with proposed solutions and call for action by every person. 

Joseph Chimombo

When responding to some of the questions from the audience, one of the invited guests at the launch, Dr. Joseph Chimombo, Director of Basic Education in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, acknowledged that Mwayi Wotsiriza highliths almost all challenges being faced at the moment in the education sector.

“As Government we are aware of these problems. We are very much concerned and we are at the moment working hard to end them.” He said

Austine Owen

The undersecretary for the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social welfare Dr. Austin Owen Luhanga while indicating that the ministry is also at the moment making number of strides to ensure that a girl child is being protected, also made a positive remark about the film.

“The film has given all of us some food for thought to critically examine the plight of both the teacher as well as the girl child. Solutions are in our hands as the TI Artistic Director did indicate.”

“Let’s continue from where the film stopped, lets discuss and find solutions together so that the girl child is protected. This film has set a right direction of how we can solve the problem” added Luhanga 

Maluwaya

Welcoming the film, McDonald Maluwaya, the Chief Arts Officer in the Ministry of Sports and Culture commended TI: “The mission….the vision…. Superb! The strategy…all wonderful! And what touches me the most is the idea of promoting cultural expression while appealing to the minds of the international world...” He added.

He promised that government will continue with number of programs that promote the film industry in the country.

He indicated that government is working hard to end challenges that the film industry is facing in the country such as lack of formalized markets, growing rates of piracy, high costs of producing movie and also technical expertise. 

Chancy Mauluka

Before comments and questions from the audience, the Artistic Director for Theatre International Chancy Mauluka said the movie was inspired by his encounter with one teacher ‘victimized’ by the system and one girl victimized by the victimized teacher in Kasungu District.

Mauluka then emphasized that the movie aims at inciting debate on how Malawi can effectively deal with some of these problems including on reporting channels when such issues arise and how communities can solve such problems.

Later in an interview, Mauluka who said was overwhelmed by the high numbers of the audience also appreciated their response.

“It was encouraging to hear some responses from audience; that it was good that the film does not offer solution, because actually when I was developing this film it was to ignite such discussions for action. As one of the viewers saw, it would have been very simplistic to offer a solution” he said.

“This movie is something that can be used for social development and is a good example of communication for social change” added Mauluka.

'Last Chance’ New Malawian Movie Launching On Friday

A local theatre, ‘Theatre International’ is set to premier at Golden Peacock Hotel its first film Mwayi Wotsiriza (Last Chance/Dernière Chance) on Friday the 2nd of October 2015. Performed in Chichewa language but has English and French subtitles, Mwayi Wotsiriza weaves its themes around sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools.

In the video clip released by Theatre International, a frustrated teacher named Chidyanji ‘propositions’ a daughter of an economically vulnerable rural woman and impregnates her. The system, already baffled by inadequacy of teaching staff, has to find a way of disciplining him.

The film’s Artistic Director, Chancy Mauluka says through engagement of reason and appeal to sympathy, Mwayi Wotsiriza drives audiences towards reflecting on some problems that demotivate teachers in primary schools alongside sexual abuse of the girl child by the male teacher. And most importantly, it calls for action.

Says Mauluka; “Mwayi Wotsiriza is a tragedy that aims at awakening discussion on issues concerning girls’ rights and basic education in Malawi.

It is a film that goes beyond entertainment and quests for solutions. Apart from entertainment-fanatic audiences, the film will appeal to development-oriented minds as it offers opportunities for facilitating community and social change.”

For the private sector, he added “Mwayi Wotsiriza opens a platform for conceptualizing strategic corporate social outreach,”

Actors featured in the film include Chancy Mauluka also former actor of the Chancellor College Traveling Theatre who featured as Ahedi (Head Teacher) in the once famous Timasukirane Soap by the Story Workshop, Rhoda Malowa of the then Chancellor College Theatre Heights, and Steve Mphonda who has a long history of acting with a number of theatre groups in Lilongwe as well as other visiting international theatre companies. Mwayi Wotsiriza, written and Directed by the Chancellor College trained Chancy Mauluka, will have first-night screening at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe this Friday, from 7:00 PM.

Door fee is at K2000 and that Theatre International will also sell DVD’s of the film.