Lighting the Path: CCJP Karonga Diocese Excels at NCA-DCA National Conference
By Noel Chatepa
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese recently made significant strides at the NCA-DCA Joint Country Alliance National Conference held on 20th November 2024 in Mchinji. The team proudly presented their ongoing initiatives, particularly focusing on two critical projects aimed at fighting inequalities and addressing gender-based violence (GBV). These efforts are supported by the Norwegian Church Aid-Danish Church Aid (NCA-DCA) Joint Country Programme, reflecting a commitment to social justice and community empowerment.
A standout moment during the conference was the pavilion inspection led by Honorable Jean Sendeza, Minister of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare. Her emotional response to meeting a young girl who had been rescued from early marriage and successfully reintegrated into school through CCJP’s GBV project underscored the profound impact of these initiatives. This encounter illustrated not only the transformative nature of CCJP’s work but also highlighted the importance of addressing issues that affect vulnerable populations.
Honorable Sendeza commended CCJP Karonga Diocese for its unwavering dedication to tackling gender inequalities and supporting victims of GBV. She emphasized her ministry’s commitment to enhancing cross-border cooperation to address cases where perpetrators evade justice by fleeing to neighboring Tanzania. This commitment is crucial in ensuring that survivors receive justice and that offenders are held accountable.
During their presentations at the conference, CCJP Karonga Diocese outlined both achievements and challenges faced within their projects. The fighting inequalities initiative aims to address social, economic, and gender disparities, while the GBV project is focused on supporting survivors, preventing future violence, and empowering communities against harmful practices such as child marriage.
The conference served as an essential platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, collaborate on strategies for improvement, and celebrate collective milestones achieved through joint efforts. The contributions from CCJP stood out as an inspiring example of effective development advocacy.
