Latest figures indicate that Malawi's child labour prevalence rate is currently at 38 percent.

A statement from the ministry from the Ministry of Labour says, out of the figure, 72 percent of children aged between 5 and 17 years are in agriculture, while 23 percent are in the domestic sector.

The ministry has then asked Malawians to take lead in dealing with the practice.

"Government is calling upon all citizens to hold hands to end this vice. It is everyone's responsibility to fight child labour. Where there is evidence, citizens are called upon to report any form of child labour including cases of abuse, violence and harassment," reads the statement.

"This is why the theme for this year is: Progress is clear, but there's more to do: let's speed up efforts! The Government of Malawi reaffirms her commitment to the protection of children against child labour, more so, in this year that was set by the international community through goal 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is to eliminate child labour including its worst forms by 2025," adds the statement.

A child rights activist, Amos Chibwana, blames parental negligence and lack of initial poverty alleviation strategies in the country as causes of the cases.

"Some parents have been in the forefront in sending the minor into child labor with an excuse of increasing their financial muscle. It is very unfortunate," said Chibwana.

A labour rights activist, Robert Mkwezalamba is suggesting increased awareness of labour laws among the citizenry.

He says there is a need to conduct more inspection in the domestic sector so as to bail out children who are being abuse through child labour.

"As a country we still have a long way to raising awareness on child labor in the country. We need to raise responsible citizens," noted Mkwezalamba.

"Unfortunately we have children given hard work under the disguise of child work. The community need to understand the demarcation between child work and child labour, " he added.

The Ministry of Labour says Malawi will then commemorate the Child Labour Day in the area of Traditional Authority Mposa around Lake Chilwa in Machinga district on June 21.

12 June every year marks the commemoration of the World Day against Child Labour across the globe. 

The day was set aside in 2002 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with an aim of raising awareness on child labour across the globe.