Judiciary Leads Stakeholders in Advancing Child Justice Reforms

The National Child Justice Forum (NCJF) is holding a two-day national stakeholders’ meeting aimed at enhancing legal, policy and programming mechanisms for the protection of children through judicial and ancillary interventions.

Delivering her opening address on Thursday, 16th October 2025, Chairperson for the NCJF, Justice Fiona Mwale, underscored the importance of coordinated action in safeguarding the rights and dignity of children in contact or conflict with the law.

“As actors across government, that is law enforcement, the judiciary, and social and health services, among the many, independent statutory bodies, and civil society, we each hold a vital piece of the puzzle in ensuring that the needs of children in need of justice are fully met. Today marks an opportunity not only to reflect on our progress, but to strengthen our collaboration, confront persistent challenges, and chart a bold, coordinated path forward for a justice system that truly serves the best interests of the child.”

Justice Mwale commended all stakeholders for their commitment to the cause for children in the justice system and to the Forum since its establishment. She also praised the sustained collaboration among government institutions and partners such as UNICEF, Save the Children, Irish Rule of Law International, and the European Union, among others, whose technical and financial support continue to strengthen the child justice system.

The forum is reviewing reports from across the child justice sector, including findings from the Judiciary’s case reviews of family and child-related matters and a study on enforcement of court orders related to child care, custody, and maintenance.

According to Judiciary data presented during the meeting, courts handled 14,457 child justice cases in the past year, including 9,160 child care cases and 5,297 cases involving children in conflict with the law. Of these, 6,582 cases were concluded, while 7,582 remain pending, highlighting the need for resource enhancement and structural reforms.

The meeting is expected to produce an implementation plan to enhance enforcement of court orders on child care, consolidate legal and policy reform areas, and inform the development of the next NCJF Strategic Plan (2025/26–2030).

The National Child Justice Forum was established to ensure that a humane child justice system is available to children who are in conflict with the law and those in need of care and protection. Its membership comprises state and non-state actors involved in child protection, justice delivery, and policy reform. Stakeholders present at this national stakeholders’ meeting include the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Labour, the Child Case Review Board, Malawi Human Rights Commission, Chilwa and Mpemba Reformatory Centres, Youthnet and Counselling (YONECO), Centre for Youth and Children's Affairs (CEYCA), Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) and Youth-Watch Society (YOWSO).