Dikamawoko Arts dials up GBV fight
As Malawi joins the global community in observing the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), cultural and arts group Dikamawoko Arts has rolled out initiatives to amplify dissemination of GBV messages.
Through their dancing troupe, the group has lined up several activities, including dances, poetry, music and drama performances to raise awareness, foster open dialogue and champion the eradication of GBV in communities in Blantyre and nationwide.
The road show performances will take the group to townships such as Bangwe, Chilomoni, Ndirande, Mbayani, Zingwangwa, Chazunda, selected trading centres and university and college campuses such as The Polytechnic, Malawi College of Accountancy and Malawi Institute of Journalism.
In an interview, Dikamawoko Arts director Tawonga Nkhonjera said their aim is to create an artistic atmosphere which will bring together people to discuss freely and put forward suggestions that can help eradicate GBV.
He said: “We want to directly tackle the issue of rape as the theme for this year’s campaign suggests. As artists, we have a voice which is hard to ignore. So, we want to use that privilege to set this conversation in motion by creating such a free space.”
Nkhonjera said through the different performances they will showcased, they want to bring together corporates, religious leaders, community members and government representatives to be part of the debate and the eventual solution.
“The art forms will tackle different subjects of GBV. The performances and panel discussions will both be recorded. That in itself should provide us with adequate data that should guide our way forward,” he said.
Activities to mark the commemoration of the campaign were officially launched in Lilongwe on Monday by Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Mary Navicha.
This year the campaign is being observed under the theme Generation Equality Stands Against Rape.
The minister said the theme will facilitate the provision of an advocacy platform in the fight against GBV in the workplace.
The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is observed globally.
It started on November 25 and will go up to December 10.
