Cyclone survivors urged to report GBV

Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Wolrec) has urged Cyclone Freddy survivors who experience gender-based violence (GBV) to report to authorities for justice.

Speaking on Tuesday during a roadshow against GBV in Zomba, Wolrec projects officer Margaret Chilongozi said the survivors continue to face the vice months after leaving evacuation camps.

She said: “After decommissioning the camps, many women and girls are exposed to sexual assault and other forms of GBV because they are struggling to recover from the effects of the cyclone.

“We felt duty-bound to entertain them with traditional dances in their communities to make them feel relieved to report any forms of sexual abuse they experience.”

Chilongozi asked communities to join hands to fight the vice to prevent increased gender inequalities.

Zomba Police Station Victim Support Unit crime prevention officer Gertrude Namaona challenged the survivors to report any forms of abuse they experience.

“I also encourage men to report gender-based violence instead of remaining silent,” she said.

Zomba-Likangala third grade magistrate Loveness Afuwa warned GBV victims against concealing cases.

“Concealing GBV cases defeats the purpose of ending the vice in the country because it gives perpetrators freedom of committing similar offences,” she said.

Joseph Banda from Minama Village in Senior Chief Malemia in Zomba said the roadshow helped men to develop courage to report the vice.

Edith Maliko from Malosa said the battle against GBV can be won if both men and women treat each other with fairness.

With support from UN Women through the United Nation Central Emergency Relief Fund, Wolrec held roadshows at Namwera Turn-off, Somba Market and Domasi Works Trading Centre to help GBV survivors access justice from police and courts