Women Lawyers Association has stressed the significance of making justice accessible to rural communities to ensure that everyone realises their human rights.
To accomplish the objective, the association on Tuesday facilitated a legal clinic in Kazguli Village, Traditional Authority Kyungu in Karonga to increase awareness of human rights and access to justice among rural communities.
The association’s project lawyer Chisomo Thabwa said they chose the area because of its geographical location, which makes it difficult for residents to access essential services and information on their rights.
| Abigail Mphande
“The roads are poor, making the place almost inaccessible. Therefore, we want people to know their rights so that if something happens, they know where to report,” she said.
Thabwa said they also trained first responders in the area on human rights and how to handle survivors of violence and appropriate referral procedures.
“We want to ensure that we do not further traumatise survivors while handling their cases. If they have been beaten and are bleeding, what is the hospital procedure?” he said.
Group village head Kyeghama appealed to authorities to consider introducing mobile courts in the area.
“Residents spend about K30 000 to travel to the court at Karonga Boma,” he said.
Karonga District Council assistant social welfare officer Esau Chimbereko said they identified the area for the legal clinic because of the high number of reported cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and abuse of elderly people.
He said from 2025 to 2026, the area recorded 27 child marriages, 54 GBV cases and seven cases involving abuse of elderly people.
One of the residents, Eunice Mbale from Kazguli Village, said the training will help community members understand their rights and where to seek assistance when their rights are violated.
The association is implementing a Waging Justice programme with funding from the Clooney Foundation for Justice in the country.
