Machinga GBV survivors take on bearers

Girls and women from Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkula in Machinga yesterday took to task service providers to explain what they are doing to tackle gender-based violence (GBV) in the district.

Speaking during a meeting which Society of Women Advancement in Malawi (Swam) organised at Machinga Teacher Development Centre, Nkalawire Youth Club chairperson Nellie Gomani said long distances to school expose girls to GBV.

“Boarding facilities for girls in schools should be considered,” she suggested.

Masiye Women Group community activist Hannah Mbiche said her group which includes GBV survivors has been advocating for women and girls empowerment in T/A Nkula since 2014.

“Over the years we have been following up cases and referring survivors to police, hospital and social welfare offices but cases of GBV will not end if we don’t address the power imbalance between men and women,” she said.

Machinga Police Station child protection worker Christopher Kayipa said there are inadequate magistrates to handle GBV cases.

“For instance, the district has only one judicial officer who handles GBV cases and this is not matching the rate at which cases are happening in communities,” he said. 

Kayipa urged community members to actively follow up cases and provide relevant information on GBV to duty bearers.

Swam programme manager Lindiwe Jere expressed happiness that women and girls are demanding better service delivery and pledged to advocate for more magistrates.