AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CHILD LABOR PREVENTION STRATEGIES IN CHIWEMBE VILLAGE

This qualitative study assessed the effectiveness of child labor prevention strategies in Chiwembe Village, Malawi, examining community perceptions, lived experiences, and contextual factors influencing children’s continued engagement in labor. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations involving children, parents, teachers, community leaders, and child protection actors. The study explored how existing interventions were understood, implemented, and experienced at the local level.

Findings indicated that child labor remains a pervasive social and developmental challenge in Chiwembe, with many children involved in market vending, household tasks, and other forms of work that compromise education, health, and psychosocial well-being. Participants highlighted recurring issues including fatigue, injuries, emotional stress, school absenteeism, and diminished self-esteem among working children. While awareness campaigns, community by-laws, and school-based initiatives had increased knowledge of children’s rights, their effectiveness was constrained by weak law enforcement, inconsistent implementation, and limited resources. Consequently, child labor persisted despite ongoing prevention efforts.

The study concluded that meaningful progress in Chiwembe requires addressing the root causes of child labor, particularly poverty and cultural norms that normalize children’s work. Effective prevention strategies should prioritize multi-sectoral collaboration, stronger community engagement, and sustained economic support for vulnerable households. Strengthening social safety nets, improving monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and promoting alternative livelihood opportunities were identified as essential measures to ensure that children remain in school and experience safer, healthier, and more fulfilling childhoods.

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the persistent challenges and significant
opportunities in child labor prevention, emphasizing that interventions must go beyond simple
awareness-raising to address structural, economic, and cultural factors, thereby fostering lasting
protection and comprehensive development for children in rural Malawi.