By Brighton Tchongwe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is in dire need of MK18 billion to successfully implement its 2024-2028 strategic plan.
Speaking during the launch of strategic plan in Lilongwe on Wednesday, MHRC Chairperson Chikondi Chijozi underscored that the 2024-2028 strategic plan will help to guide the commission on how to tackle issues of human rights noting that this will help to promote and protect human rights in the country
However Chijozi lamented over funding woes saying this is crippling their operations. In this regard she thanked, development partners especially the UNDP for being the enabler of their work in promoting and protecting human rights work in the country.
“As a commission we are receiving funding with less than 35 percent, the money which is not enough for implementation of the commission’s projects,” said Chijozi.
“In the past two years, the commission has increased its visibility through resources mobilization as well as building a strong relationship with development partnerships who have really supported the commission to fulfill part of its mandate and we believe that enhancing that kind of partnerships is a way to go for the commission to achieve what has projected in its strategic plan,” explains Chijozi.
In his remarks, UNDP Project Manager responsible for national registration and identification system Azhar Saeed Malik underscored that the UNDP remains committed to support efforts that advance human rights in Malawi.
“As UNDP we are excited to contribute to these efforts and Malawi’s strategic objective to attain the SDG’s and Malawi 2063, this is in line with the UN’s agenda 2030. We will build on the existing achievements of our partnership and contribute substantially to making your overarching goal a national reality,” said Malik.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs Peter Dimba has highlighted that the strategic plan is a blueprint for the commission to implement its mandate of promoting and protecting human rights in the country
Dimba conceded that low funds from the government hence urging all development partners to continue providing support to the commission in order to achieve their mandates and goals.
