Communities around Chikutu in Senior Chief Kilupula in Karonga District have commended the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) for initiating mobile courts as one way of eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) cases.
Principal group village head Lameck and Chikutu Mother Group chairperson Magdalene Mbughi said this on Tuesday when EAM facilitated a mobile court which saw Karonga Magistrate’s Court sitting at Chikutu to preside over six civil cases emanating from GBV.
“Many GBV cases go unreported due to the long distances people are supposed to walk to either Ngerenge Court or Karonga Magistrate’s Court to seek justice. Transport costs are also too high for villagers,” said Lameck.
On her part, Mbughi said the development will send a strong message to GBV perpetrators who, before the introduction of mobile courts, took things for granted.
In an interview after presiding over one case and adjourning two others to January 11 2021, Karonga first grade magistrate Julius Kalambo hailed EAM for the initiative, saying the 20km distance to the nearest Ngerenge Court was a contributing factor for many GBV cases to go unreported in the area.
He appealed to other organisations to emulate the gesture if backlogs of GBV cases are to be eradicated in the district.
Karonga District EAM Timazge Khaza project coordinator Dumisani Nungu said his organisation is geared to ensure that justice is delivered to GBV perpetrators, victims and survivors.
