DfID launches anti-gender violence programme

The Department for International Development (DfID) has urged Malawi to mainstream gender-based violence prevention into all sectors to end incidences and deliver better development outcomes.

Head of DfID Dave Beer made the call at the pre-launch of the UK development arm’s flagship programme Tithetse Nkhanza which seeks to end gender-based violence (GBV) against women and children in Malawi.

He said: “The programme is to prevent GBV from happening in the first place, ensure survivors are cared for, and hold perpetrators to account. It is now widely recognised that we cannot simply achieve the Global Goals without tackling gender-based violence.

“DfID Malawi will be doing everything in its power over the coming years to work with development partners, the government and civil society organisations to scale up our impact on reducing violence against women and girls, not least through the 17 million pounds we are investing in this programme.”

Globally, DfID has invested in research to promote learning on what works in tackling causes of violence against women and girls.

Said Beer: “Only by working together to tackle the root causes and by putting women and girls at the heart of our work will we be able to make the elimination of violence against women and girls a reality across the country.”

On her part, Tithetse Nkhanza team leader Grace Malera said the six-year project will thrive on justice, medical and psychosocial support, among others.

“The programme’s main objective is to reduce the prevalence of violence against women and girls and improve the justice system for women and girls experiencing violence in our country.

“Ending violence against women and girls is one of the biggest challenges facing our country and unless we rise to this challenge, we will not achieve our development goals,” she said.

In Malawi, 20 percent of women have experienced sexual violence, according to UN Women.