People urged to report gender-based violence

Karonga district social welfare officer Peggy Gondwe has asked people from Ngisi and Ngana in Senior Chief Mwakaboko in the district to report gender-based violence (GBV) cases to established structures.

She said this on Tuesday at Ngisi Primary School at the end of a two-day training on GBV-related lawsorganised by the Evangelical Association of Malawi.

“If we are to eliminate GBV, victims should not suffer in silence, but report the vice to relevant authorities,” said Gondwe.

Ngana Primary School teacher Vitumbiko Ngana said there was need to report early marriages to promote the girl child education.

“Early marriages are rampant in the area. For example, 80 learners can enrol in Standard One, but only 11 will make it to Standard Eight,” he said.

Group village head Mwandambo said the knowledge about gender-related laws will empower communities to fight the vice.

“We already have by-laws to protect children against GBV,” he said.

During the training, Karonga third grade magistrate Maria Mkochitackled GBV-related laws, trafficking in persons, sexual offences, child care protection, gender equality and deceased estate.

Karonga District Evangelical Association of Malawi project coordinator Dumisani Nungu said they wanted people to know gender and child protection-related laws to fight GBV.

“We feel community leaders have a role to play to end GBV. Therefore, the training is crucial for them because they will know what the law says about the vice,” he said.

With a joint funding from the Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurch Aid, Evangelical Association of Malawi is implementing Timazge Nkhaza Project in traditional authorities Mwakaboko, Kilupula and Kyungu in the district.