As the country continues commemorating 16 Days of Activism, Women’s Coalition Against Cancer (Wocaca) has acknowledged the critical intersection between cancer and gender-based violence (GBV), a reality it says many women silently endure.
Wocaca executive director Maud Mwakasungula has urged Malawians to use the 16 Days of Activism campaign to amplify the voices of women impacted by both cancer and GBV.
In a statement yesterday Mw akasungula said a diagnosis of cervical, breast or any other form of cancer should inspire compassion and support.
Reads the statement in part: “Instead, many women face rejection, neglect, and abuse from those closest to them, including their spouses and family members.
“This reality compounds the emotional and physical burden of cancer, leaving survivors to struggle in silence. Stigma has played a big role in this cycle of abuse.”
According to Wocaca, women who survive cancer are often seen as ‘less than’ by their families or communities leading to discrimination, isolation, or even abandonment by their partners.
The coalition says survivors frequently report being blamed for their condition, unfairly labelled as a burden or excluded
from decision-making in their households.
Every year, November 25 is commemorated globally as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against and concludes on December 10, the International Human Rights Day.
In Malawi, the campaign was launched in Phalombe by First Lady Monica Chakwera where she called on stakeholders to galvanise efforts, resources, and attention towards ending GBV in the country.
Chakwera also called on the need for collective responsibility in ending GBV against women.
