NGO-GCN courts stakeholders on GBV
Non-Governmental Organisation-Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has asked stakeholders in Nsanje to scale-up the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
In an interview, NGO-GCN member Austin Lifa said it was sad that GBV cases were on the rise in the district.
“We have organised a steering committee to fight GBV in the district,” he said.
Nsanje district social welfare officer Yamikani Chabuka said NGO-GCN is complementing the district’s efforts to fight GBV.
In random interviews, GBV survivors said they welcomed NGO-GCN initiative to step-up the fight against the vice.
A survivor Grace Masauko, from Chapinga Village in Senior Chief Mlolo in the district, said she divorced her husband because he used to beat her.
“However, I am left with seven children to look after. The court ordered him to share some property with me, but he is yet to do so,” she said.
Another survivor Malita Chilembwe, from Mello Village in Senior Chief Mbenje in the district, said her husband married a second wife without informing her.
“This was the genesis of trouble in my family as he used to harass me because he had another wife,” she said.
On her part, Taona Lonas Mwamlima from Kafumbe Village in Senior Chief Malemia in the district said her late husband’s relatives grabbed family properties.
“I have nothing left to support my children with,” she said.
With funding from the European Union, NGO-GCN is implementing a Social Accountability Mechanism Project in traditional authorities Mlolo, Mbenje, Tengani, Malemia and Ndamerato fight GBV cases.
