Mocuba communities lauded for efforts to combat early marriage
Whilst visiting the Zambezia Province this week, Deputies from the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique, and Goodwill Ambassadors of World Vision were impressed by the work carried out by the communities of Mocuba.
The visiting Deputies and Goodwill Ambassadors participated in a meeting held in the city of Mocuba with representatives of Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) Committees and the Mugeba Media Club; two community bodies supported by a World Vision motion for the defence of children’s rights in communities.
"In addition to monitoring and denouncing all actions violating children’s rights, we focus mainly on dialogue and awareness-raising among all communities, with children and adults, on the harms of early marriage", said Abílio Ganhane, Secretary of the CVA committee of Mugeba, seconded by Adasa Carlos, of the Children’s Media Club of the same region. The latter further highlighted, "we even take these messages to photo exhibitions in schools and to local community radio so that they reach all areas of the district of Mocuba".
Manuel Vasconcelos, Deputy of the Assembly of the Republic, said that it was "really important to integrate communities in the search for local problem solutions ", while also challenging organisations, such as World Vision, to "foster regular collaboration with communities and build relationships with different governments bodies, so that their actions continue even with the end of partner projects."
"[We applaud] this attitude of empowering our communities so that they themselves lead the decision-making processes about their development; especially children", highlighted musician Valdemiro José, speaking on behalf of the Goodwill Ambassadors of World Vision (a group also composed of sportsman Palmyra Francisco and Missionary Josina Viegas).
CVA is a local level advocacy methodology that transforms the dialogue between communities and government in order to improve services, like health care and education, which impact the daily lives of children and their families.