GBV hindering Sadc protocol
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare says gender-based violence (GBV) is hindering progress in the implementation of the Sadc Gender Protocol ratified by member States in 2008.
The Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) Gender Protocol seeks to empower women, eliminate discrimination and achieve gender equality by encouraging and harmonising the development and implementation of gender responsive legislation, policies, programmes and projects.
Principal secretary (PS) in the ministry, Mary Shawa, said this on the sidelines of the launch of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence Campaign in Mzimba on Monday.
Said Shawa: “Malawi is doing well on the implementation of the Sadc protocol in areas such as education, empowerment of women and others. But on gender-based violence, we need to do a lot.”
Sadc Gender Protocol 2013 Barometer also states that GBV is a challenge in most Sadc countries despite the presence of legal frameworks.
Shawa said GBV is still a challenge because of cultural practices that continue to subject women to abuse, and tendencies by the courts to delay justice.
The 16 days of the campaign, beginning from November 25 up to December 10, was set aside by the United Nations for countries to consolidate their efforts and initiatives for prevention and eradication of GBV every year.
