Nice takes GBV fight to people’s homes

National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has announced plans to conduct a door-to-door awareness campaign on gender-based violence (GBV) in Zomba.

The campaign follows the rise in GBV cases in the district since January this year.

In an interview, Zomba district civic education officer Kondwani Neba said they will intensify awareness campaign to help reduce the cases.

“We will also involve court users’ committees, police victim support unit and social welfare offices when carrying out the campaigns,” he said.

Neba said most women were suffering in silence; hence, launching the exercise to encourage them to report the cases.

On his part, Senior Chief Malemia commended Nice for civic-educating people on the dangers of GBV and encouraging women to report.

He said: “I will support the campaign by engaging my subjects on GBV.

“I will also ask my subordinates to ensure they protect women from the vice.”

Malemia also pledged to engage other traditional leaders to abolish cultural practices that fuel GBV cases in the district.

In random interviews, community members welcomed the campaign, saying it will empower GBV victims to seek justice.

Shaibu Chipula from Traditional Authority Malemia said most women are afraid to report their abusive husbands to police.

“They need encouragement that they will be protected once they report their abusive husbands to police,” he said.

Zomba district social welfare officer Christopher Ndaona said his office has registered 274 GBV cases since January this year. He said the office registered 276 cases in 2020.

Recently, the country has witnessed a rise in GBV cases, including rape and defilement.

In an earlier interview, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati said the country is registering more GBV cases because victims are now reporting the cases