Of 16 Days of activism against GBV

Hon. Folks, on November 25 Malawi will join the rest of the world in marking 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (GBV).

Globally, this event is an important milestone in raising awareness against all forms of violence against women and girls all of which are a violation of human rights as enshrined in the United Nations, African Union and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) human rights protocols.

For Malawi, the country started observing the campaign in 2001 and since then the commemoration has provided a platform for stakeholders such as government, non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations to raise awareness, influence behavioural change and lobby for political commitment to end gender violence.

But this year’s commemoration comes when the scale of gender-based violence, including premeditated sexual violence against children and infants has reached alarming levels in Malawi.

Hon. Folks, we thus choose to dwell much on sexual violence this week because it appears Malawi is now possessed by a strange spell of psychic attack that has triggered a rise in incidents of GBV,  child molestation and rape which are occurring almost every second of each passing day.

Certainly, there is no doubt that this country—internationally revered as the Warm Heart of Africa—has reproduced more irrational citizens that have no problem in engaging themselves in acts that defy common sense.

Lately, there have been numerous incidents of men raping young girls and infants, including some shameful cases where fathers have committed incest with their daughters.

Unfortunately, all this is happening in spite various local and international campaigns against sexual violence which results in severe physical, psychological and social harm.

With the rising cases of HIV and Aids, these acts have put increased risk of contracting the virus and other sexually transmitted infections among the minors, not to mention untimely pregnancies and psychological trauma.

This is why all Malawians need to enhance efforts in fighting against sexual violence which continues to occur in our communities, including homes, schools and even churches.

In spite of this, however, It is encouraging to note that some local and international organisations, including the United Nations are tirelessly strengthening global action to bridge funding gaps and ensure essential services for affected women and girls even during the Covid-19 crisis.

Hon. Folks, as the world prepares to observe 16 days of the elimination of GBV this year,  it is also disheartening to note that Covid-19 has worsened the plague of sexual and other forms of violence against women and girls in most of the country’s households mainly due to various restrictions imposed on citizens by the governments in a bid to curb the spread of the global virus.

Nevertheless, I must state here that the pandemic justifies no monstrous acts against innocent children and our women by loose men in our communities.

On this note I would like to urge all citizens and organisations in the country to continue collaborating and safeguarding various local, regional and international legal frameworks designed to tackle this shameful phenomenon.

It is also encouraging to see many Malawians are now embracing GBV issues and they are coming out in the open to report some hidden GBV and sexual violence cases to police and other relevant agencies.

Honourable folks we can build this country together for future generations by defeating current bottlenecks that impede hopes for our future leaders.