Women in the country have been challenged not to withdraw cases of gender-based violence (GBV), saying the trend defeats efforts to curb the vice.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati said this on Tuesday at Chikomwe Primary School in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chowe in Mangochi at the launch of Girls and Women Empowerment (Gewe) ‘Zimachitika Radio Drama Series’.

She said the fight to uproot GBV is being compromised because women who are the main victims, usually withdraw cases against their husbands before courts make determinations.
“It is disheartening to note that dependent women opt to discontinue cases against abusive spouses as they rely on the same husbands,” said Kaliati.
She underlined that although poverty and economic dependence are major stumbling blocks in efforts to combat GBV in Malawi, there is need for vigilance on the part of the women to report the abuses to relevant authorities to halt it.
“As women, we need to gather courage whenever we are abused and report perpetrators to police to curb GBV and related crimes,” she said.
Kaliati said government is committed to embarking on initiatives to empower women with resources and credit facilities to improve their livelihood.
With funding from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Gewe—Zimachitika Radio Drama Series will be produced by the Story Workshop and will be broadcast on 14 radio stations in Malawi, including MBC Radio One and Two, Zodiak Broadcasting Station,Transworld Radio, Blantyre Synod and Radio Maria, among others. The radio drama series will teach people evils of GBV and sexual reproductive health and rights, highlight women empowerment skills and encourage women to report GBV.