Study reveals sexual violence against female guards

A recent study by Non-Governmental Organisations Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has revealed that female guards working in private security companies experience rampant sexual abuse.

The findings of the study were shared on Wednesday during a stakeholders meeting at Sunbird Lilongwe Hotel in Lilongwe.

NGO-GCN chairperson Barbara Banda said the study revealed that male supervisors expect sexual favours from women looking for employment, promotion, and also to be placed in less risky areas.

She said: “We focused on security companies but we do know that there is a lot of gender-based violence taking place in other institutions like transitional companies. They are getting away with a lot of abuses, even disregarding the country’s labour laws.”

Banda described the female guards as a vulnerable group as evidenced in the labour violations they encounter and the limited rights they enjoy.

“There is impunity among security companies because they get away with it. The female guard is also abused when she is posted to an institution,” she said.

According to the report, female guards that are pregnant are fired from their positions instead of being given maternity leave.

She said the study covered seven undisclosed security companies, three of whom are locally owned while  four are international.

Assistant director of gender affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Joseph Kazima said the study was geared towards the development of a Sexual Harassment Policy which every employee must align to.

He said: “This study is very important because it gives us the evidence of the violence that is taking part in various workplaces. We will discuss with NGO-GCN as a ministry on the way forward,” he said.

Stakeholders at the meeting included senior government officials, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) and development partners.