WHO ARE WE?
The NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO-CCR) is a national coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) working to promote, protect, and fulfil the rights of children in Malawi. Established in 2010 by various sectoral civil society networks, the Coalition was formed to ensure that children’s rights are fully integrated into all development processes in the country.
NGO-CCR is anchored on the four fundamental principles of the Rights of the Child:
non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and participation, in line with children’s evolving capacities
Our vision is for a Malawi where every child enjoys their full rights, dignity, and protection. Our mission is to contribute towards the promotion, respect, protection and fulfillment of children’s rights through evidence-based Advocacy, Coordination, Capacity building and Research.
Strategic Objective
To ensure that children in Malawi are protected and live lives free from violence and abuse, through increased visibility, voice, and age-appropriate participation in decision-making processes
Our Core Operational Values
NGO CCR and its stakeholders upholds the following key principle core values: 1. Transparency and Accountability 2. Commitment 3. Integrity 4. Inclusion and participation 5. Child protection and Participation
Our Thematic Focus Areas
1. Advocacy 2. Coordination 3. Capacity building 4. Research, monitoring and reporting
What we do?
NGO-CCR works at national, district, and community levels to advance child rights through the following key thematic areas:
Advocacy
We use evidence and participation to advocate for child friendly and disability inclusive policies, laws, systems, processes, child friendly and disability sensitive investments, and practices at all levels of socio-economic development in Malawi
Coordination
We strengthen and scale up coordination of CSO’s efforts towards protection and promotion of child rights in Malawi. We coordinate and harmonize CSO reporting on international Child Rights Treaties and instruments like UNCRC, UNCRPD and ACRWC.
Capacity Building
We improve the capacity of CSO’s working on child rights programming in Malawi in the areas of Child rights governance, advocacy, participatory Child rights monitoring, Child sensitive impact reporting, Child sensitive investment and budgeting, disability inclusion and mainstreaming, popularization and implementation of international instruments like, UNCRC, UNCRPD and ACRWC.
We strengthen the capacity of children Structures in areas of Child rights, inclusive child participation, child-led reporting on International child rights Treaty Instruments like, UNCRC, UNCRPD and ACRWC, child-led social accountability and advocacy, children parliaments at district and National Levels, Children forum at SADC, AU and UN levels.
Research, Monitoring and Reporting
We leverage knowledge on child rights in order to inform policy, programs and best practices in Malawi. We monitor UNCRC and ACRWC impact indicators and submit CSO periodic reports to UN and AU
Our Reach and Impact?
• A national coalition with open membership to CSOs working on child rights in Malawi • Active engagement at community, district, national, SADC, AU, and UN levels • Coordination of civil society treaty reporting and child-led participation processes • Collaboration with government ministries, parliament, and independent oversight institutions
OUR Structure
The Coalition structure comprised of: • The Annual General Meeting (AGM), • The Board of Directors, • The Executive Committee, • The Secretariat headed by the National Coordinator. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is comprised of members and the Board of Directors. It is charged with the mandate for policy formulation and strategic direction. The Board of Directors is an overseeing body holding the ownership of the Coalition on behalf of the public. The Executive Committee was a management structure providing technical support to secretariat.
How we are Organized
| Thematic Areas | Name of member National network |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Development | |
| Education | |
| Health | |
| Gender and Girls Empowerment | |
| Economic Justice | |
| Environment and Climate Change | |
| Civil rights | |
| Water and environmental Sanitation | |
| Youth | |
| Disability and inclusion | |
| Nutrition | |
| Childcare |
Membership and Affiliation
• NGO CCR is a member and current Chair of SADC level Child Rights Network for Southern Africa (CRNSA) • NGO CCR is a member of Pan African Civil Society Child Rights Forum at African Union level • NGO CCR is an affiliate member of the global Child Rights Connect
| Level | Treaty Body | CSO Body | Treaty Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| SADC | SADC | CRNSA | SADC Protocol*** |
| AU | ACERWC | CSO forum | ACRWC |
| UN | CRC | Child Rights Connect | UNCRC |
| UN | UPR | Child Rights Connect | UPR** |
Our Team
The NGO Coalition on Child Rights is supported by a dedicated and experienced team of professionals based at the Coalition’s headquarters. The Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day coordination, implementation, and management of the Coalition’s programs and projects, working closely with member organizations, government institutions, and development partners.
Currently, the Coalition has nine (9) full-time staff members, each playing a critical role in ensuring the effective delivery of our mandate.
The Secretariat is currently composed of the following positions: National Coordinator, Programs Officer (2 positions), Program Specialist, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, Finance Officer, Administration Officer, Administration Assistant Officer, and Communications Officer
All staff members operate physically from the Coalition’s headquarters, enabling strong coordination, accountability, and timely implementation of activities.
MEET THE TEAM The team is united by a shared commitment to promoting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of children in Malawi. Through professionalism, collaboration, and accountability, the Secretariat ensures that the Coalition’s vision and mission are translated into meaningful action and measurable impact.
