Authorities have condemned the tendency of parading children on various social media platforms aiming at seeking adoption.

Whilst admitting challenges brought forth by devastating impacts of Cyclone Freddy on children, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza told a media briefing in Lilongwe that legally instituted procedures on adoption need to be abided.

She said: “Yes we know that people want to be very kind in adopting these children but what I would call upon the public is to follow proper procedures on how to do an adoption.

“We don’t want these children to be abused this time when they are already in traumatic conditions that’s why I was lamenting to the public that we should follow the laws.”

Sendeza also bemoaned an increase in the number of violent cases being perpetrated towards children in the camps housing cyclone victims.

Concurring with Sendeza, the NGO Coalition on Child Rights called for concerted efforts in dealing with the vice.

“Women and girls especially those in rural areas aren’t strong enough to stand the pressure, they can’t make independent decisions themselves and we need to work collaboratively in reaching out to these vulnerable people,” said Desmond Mhango, Chairperson for the Coalition.

Malawi Police Service (MPS) Child Protection Officer Malango Mwasinga stressed that the law enforcement agency is working tirelessly on sensitising the masses about the matter.

“Through community policing services, we have embarked on a programme whereby we are going into the communities, raising awareness on the issue of protection of rights for children,” said Mwasinga.

There are currently over one million children in camps sheltering people affected by the devastating effects caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy last month.