NGO decries GBV increase in Phalombe

Phalombe Youth Arms Organisation executive director Vincent Thom has bemoaned the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) cases in Phalombe District.

His concern follows a Phalombe Police Station report that the district  registered 123 GBV cases between January and April this year compared to 91 during the same period in 2019.

In an interview on Friday, Thom said the situation has led to the organisation holding meetings with area development committees (ADCs) in the district to address the vice.

He said: “The increase in GBV cases is worrisome. “So, with support from ViiV Healthcare, we visited Traditional Authority Phweremwe and Senior Chief Nkhulambe’s area with awareness messages.”

Thom said they hope that targeting ADCs will help to disseminate GBV messages further in communities.

“There is also need to institute mobile courts in communities to hear GBV cases because long distances to courts is one of the factors fuelling the rise of the vice,” he said.

Phalombe Police Station community policing coordinator Miltons Moyo said the figures could be higher than 123.

“It is possible that GBV cases are higher because most victims don’t report cases due to various reasons,” he said.

Phalombe District GBV Technical Working Group chairperson Damson Banda, who is also a first grade magistrate, said authorities should take action to end the malpractice.

He said: “If no action is taken, more girls and women will continue to fall prey to violence.

“We should make resolutions with other NGOs working towards ending GBV cases to intensify awareness campaigns.”