MLW’s Safeguarding Officer Elizabeth Mkutumula has appealed to study teams and departments to embrace safeguarding discussions in their routine meetings to make MLW a safe place for everyone.

Mkutumula made the remarks in an interview following a safeguarding training that took place on Tuesday 9 August 2022 at MLW’s main office in Blantyre.

The training targeted new employees, students, interns, and staff members that have never attended any MLW safeguarding training to get acquainted with the protection policy.

Commenting on the results of the Safeguarding policy Mkutumula said: “Safeguarding has made a huge difference as staff members are aware of MLW safeguarding policy, promoting safeguarding, and proactively reporting and seeking guidance on safeguarding matters concerning themselves as well as community members.”

Mkutumula urged all participants to promote the safeguarding culture within MLW and directly report safeguarding concerns to responsible safeguarding officers.

One of the participants of the safeguarding training Kasankha Misinde said the training was beneficial to improving work relationships and easily recognise safeguarding issues as they happen.

Misinde said: “Safeguarding is very important in my work because it improves the work relationship with my colleagues and ensures that I recognise, respond, and report to any safeguarding issues to prevent and address abuse, exploitation, and bullying of fellow staff members, students, or community workers that I might interact with during my work.”