Zomba-based Youth Net and Counselling Organisation (Yoneco) has underscored the need for community gender-based violence (GBV) committees to be vigilant in handling issues and abuses against girls and women.
Yoneco GBV facilitator Rodrick Sinoya made the call recently during anti-GBV meetings in Mangochi and Machinga districts.
During the meetings, it was revealed that some communities are refusing to recognise rights of girls and women, claiming that they are weaker.
Said Sinoya: “We are teaching the communities the significance of working hand in hand with girls and women since these females are drivers of socio-economic development of society if they are given a room to exercise their abilities.”
According to Luckison Beni, the third grade magistrate at Nselema Court, through vigilance of duty bearers, GBV can easily be curbed in the country.
He said: “Mitigation of gender-based violence will remain a farfetched dream if the abused continue remain silent once faced with the ordeals. We persuade the abused to come in the open for law enforcers to take proper actions.”
