Ignorance of gender laws fuelling GBV—Ministry
Malawi continues to register gender-based violence (GBV) cases due to ignorance of gender laws among the citizenry, the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare has observed.
Speaking in Lilongwe yesterday when he opened a day-long workshop on Dissemination of Gender-Related Laws to the Media, director of administration in the ministry MacCallum Sibande spoke of the need for the media to understand and help interpret legal jargon to the masses for clear understanding.
He said: “Government cannot implement these laws alone. The media has access to even the remotest parts of the country, you have authority and the nation listens to you through your various channels.”
In a separate interview, chief community development officer in the Ministry of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development Ronald Phiri said the amendment of the Marriage Divorce and Family Issues Act seeks to bring respect and strengthen the institution of marriage.
The gender-related laws include the Gender Equality Act, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, the Marriage Divorce and Family Act, Trafficking in Person Act, the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and Protection) Act, Child Care Justice and Protection Act and the National Gender Policy. n
