Girl Guides Association member Tiyanjane Msyambazo said more girls are still not safe and something has to be done urgently.

She cited the increased cases of defilement and other forms of abuse as some of the effects of the lapse in the security for the girl child.

“Let the government provide security for the girl child and continue to advocate for the rights of girls and women including making mental health a priority to help the traumatized,'' Msyambazo said.”

Another member of the association Violet Machika said domestic violence remains a big problem which is threatening women’s security in Malawi.

“Over 50 % of the population is composed of women, hence the need for the government to give serious attention to the matters the girl child faces,” Machika said.

Ministry of gender spokesperson Fred Simwaka says they are working towards achieving promotion of girls participating in decision making processes.

Fred Simwaka says the government is striving to enforce existing laws that protect children, including the Child Justice Act.

Earlier, first deputy speaker of parliament Madalitso Kazombo said elimination of the setbacks to the development of the girl child in accessing different opportunities is essential in the development of the country.

He said he will lobby fellow MPs to introduce deliberate laws and policies that would further protect the rights of children in the country.

Statistics from Malawi Police Service show that the country registered about 900 cases of defilement in first half of 2022.

Child rights activist Memory Ngosi Chisenga says there are more cases on the ground that remain unreported, hence asking government to adopt defilement prevention strategies to stamp out the problem.

The world celebrates international day of the girl child and this year’s it is celebrated under theme “Our time is now - our rights, our future.”