Africa-Press – Malawi. Ministry of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare is working closely with the Association of Social Workers in Malawi (Aswin) to finalize the Social Workers Practitioners Bill, aimed at regulating the social work profession in the country.
This was said on Friday in Lilongwe during a social service workforce meeting.
LIMBANI—Every profession deserves protection and standardsPrincipal Social Welfare Officer from the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Trophina Limbani said the bill will help outline the qualifications and standards for the profession.
Limbani said: “Every profession deserves protection and standards. Our journey to establish a robust social work framework in Malawi is important because social work is a practice-based profession that requires clear regulations to safeguard both practitioners and the communities they serve.”
She added that a task force has been revamped to engage key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice, to expedite the bill’s finalization.
“The government acknowledges the importance of professional regulation in ensuring quality service delivery and protecting the public,” Limbani said.
Aswim president, Chisangalala Ntonyo said currently, the lack of a regulatory framework has led to chaos, with anyone claiming to be a social worker without proper qualifications or oversight.
“A framework is crucial to guide and coordinate the social work profession. Without it, chaos ensues, and anyone can claim to be a social worker in the country, undermining the integrity of the profession,” Ntonyo said.
He further noted that the Association of Social Workers in Malawi is really struggling to carry out duties effectively because of the lack of the bill.
The bill, once passed into law, will establish a regulatory body to oversee the profession, outline qualifications, and guide academic institutions.
The Association of Social Workers in Malawi has been advocating for professionalization and regulation of the field, and this collaboration with the government is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
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