Coalition of Women Living with HIV and Aids (Cowlha) says ending gender-based violence (GBV) is a collective responsibility of government, civil society organisations, local structures and individuals.
Speaking on Sunday at Kapalamula Teachers Development Centre in Ntcheu during a meeting, Cowlha executive director Edna Tembo said collaboration among different players eases the fight against GBV and HIV and Aids.
She said: “We are using the Start Awareness and Support Action [Sassa Faith] methodology which enables us to work together with various organisations and individuals at various levels such as chiefs, Area Development Committee members and religious leaders in ending GBV.
“We have trained community activists, community action groups and religious leaders who bring awareness to the community about dangers of GBV and HIV.”
Tembo said Sassa Faith methodology is instrumental in bringing mindset change among the people to realise that they have to change their behaviour on their own.
Ntcheu district commissioner Francis Matewere said at least 30 percent of all households in the district have experienced some form of GBV.
“We are grateful the project is bearing fruits especially in mitigating GBV effects. The project has enhanced community policing and strengthened awareness at community level,” he said.
Visiting Trocaire head of Portfolio-Climate and Gender responsible for Malawi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Ethiopia, Conor Molly, said ending GBV among women and girls in Malawi and Africa is possible if efforts from all stakeholders are strengthened.
“GBV among women and girls in Africa needs solutions. We have to strengthen efforts to end the same, including preventing new HIV infections to have an HIV and Aids free society,” he said.
Cowlha is implementing the project in five traditional authories in Ntcheu with funding from Trocaire.
