Activist drums up support to end GBV in Mzimba
Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC) executive director Emma Kaliya has called for collaboration in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in Mzimba District.
She said this on Saturday in Mzimba when she announced that her organisation will implement Lekani Nkhanza Project in the district.
Said Kaliya: “Our goal is to create an environment that guarantees gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, thereby contributing to the attainment of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number 5.
“To achieve this, we need collaboration from partners, stakeholders and community members.”
Kaliya said they decided to implement the project in the district because of demand after implementing a similar project in the past.
She said: “We implemented under the Spotlight Initiative and towards the end of the project people asked for the services and trainings we were providing during the project. So, when a call came from the United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] on a similar project, we thought it wise to come back to Mzimba.”
MHRRC mental health and psychosocial support officer Grace Banda said the project mostly targets marginalised groups.
“The project targets GBV survivors, people with disabilities, persons with albinism, people living with HIV, the ultra-poor and those living in hard-to-reach areas with limited or no access to basic services,” she said.
Banda also said the project will be implemented in Dowa District with support from UNDP.
“We have been granted K70 million for the two districts and this amount is for all traditional authorities in the districts. The project runs for three months,” she said.
Mzimba district gender officer Naomi Mwale welcomed the project, saying there were many GBV cases in communities.
“The project will address GBV among marginalised communities,” she said.
