Continue with project interventions, NGO tells Nkhata Bay communities

Girls Empowerment Network (Genet) has advised communities in Nkhata Bay to continue with interventions the non-governmental organisation introduced under the Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls Project in the district. 

Speaking on Tuesday during integrated mobile and clinics campaign, Genet Nkhata Bay District coordinator Juliet Msosa said the programme, which is phasing out soon, has imparted enough knowledge and skills to both girls and community members to ensure young women’s lives are improved.

“It is our wish that communities in the project areas and beyond will continue denouncing gender-based violence [GBV] and promote access to sexual and reproductive health [SRH] services,” she said.

Msosa said they have created 82 safe spaces each containing 35 girls and 5 764 girls graduated from its mentorship where they discuss GBV and SRH issues and self-esteem.

Traditional Authority (T/A) Fukamalaza Community Police Forum chairperson Bondi Phiri said Genet brought thorough understanding of gender-based violence and procedures in handling such cases in their area.

“Before the project it was difficult to convince parents to stop malpractices that led to school drop outs and early marriages. The project opened our eyes and we withdrew 15 girls from early marriages and sent them back to school,” said Phiri.

One of the girls who was withdrawn from early marriage, Jane Banda, hailed the project for redefining her future.

“Girls were enticed to marry fishers, but through the project, many have returned to school,  while others have been provided with school fees or business startups,” she said.

Genet was implementing the project in eight T/As in Nkhata Bay.