When an 18-year-old defiled his four-year-old neighbour’s daughter, his prosecution opened a door-way to enmity between two families last year.
The former’s family blamed the survivor’s family when the teenager was slapped a 15-year incarceration.
But thanks to the mediation of a UN Women-orchestrated group in Traditional Authority (T/A) Jalasi, Mangochi that intervened and facilitated for the case to see its logical conclusion.
They are called Women Movement Group for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding.
At T/A level, the group comprises 15 lead women working with other women in the community advancing conflict prevention and addressing issues that undermine peace.
Chairperson of the notably all Muslim female movement Fatima Mustafa admitted this was one of their most delicate cases ever because of the resentment between the two families.
“We never relented and sat both families down to explain how the law works. We pushed the case for prosecution which was initially being downplayed. We eventually succeeded in bringing the culprit to book. Their enmity still exists, but at least we defused the tensions,” she said.
The women’s reputation precedes them and 15-year-old Patuma didn’t hesitate to seek them after her parents nearly forced her into marriage.
Noticing rising tension and conflict between her and them, Patuma realised that without the movement, it was game over for her.
“I took education lightly and skipped classes. This was when my parents decided to marry me off. Thanks to the women, I am back in school and the marriage has been put on hold,” she said.
Perhaps their most daring act was confronting a case in Namwera where a woman was killed by her husband, who also broke their four-month baby’s leg in the process.
According to another member, Zione Myadi, the women worked with the police, ensuring the man got what he deserved and justice for the wife and the baby. He received life imprisonment.
Aisha Chembe also contacted the movement when she was thrown out of her home by relations following the death of her grandmother who raised her since 2002.
The group intervened in her case and was helped to acquire her own place.
The grouping comprises 48 086 members broken down as follows; 14 484 women, 3 396 men, 2 331 youths and 6 853 girls trained by UN Women on August 8 2023 to ably deal with various situations in conflict prevention and peace building.
They have three defilement cases reported to them, 13 land disputes, 13 child marriages and 25 marriage conflicts.
So far, 13 (eight girls and five boys) have returned to school.
A 64-year-old from Sub-Traditional Authority Chiponde is a serving 21-year sentence for defiling, impregnating and infecting a 14-year-old with HIV.
The fish monger enticed the minor into a relationship until the district social welfare office intervened through the movement and sought justice.
The girl is mother to a year and a half toddler.
Zytoon Bwanali, movement member, said a father from Sub-T/A Mtata is serving 21 years in prison following his conviction in 2023 for defiling his two daughters who were in Standard Four and Six then.
The movement works with the police, social welfare office, chiefs and the community to identify cases wroth pursuing.
In October last year, it helped four women get their three-month wages after working on a farm in Mozambique, only for the employer to backtrack.
UN Women deputy country director Fatima Mohammed was impressed with the women’s resilience which she observed attested to the fact that no matter their challenges, they can face any situation and find solutions.
“We are very proud of you for the recognition you have gained within the community. It’s proof that persistence and organisation can achieve many things,” she said.
Mohammed said UN Women is developing a forward push strategy on gender equality and empowerment of women, amidst a global and regional pushback.
“The strategic objective is to keep the struggles of Malawian women and the gender equality and women empowerment (GEWE) agenda at the forefront of public debates and national and multilateral priorities.
“It also aims to foster more informed dialogue with development partners, the private sector, and the government, highlighting the need for aligned pathways to accelerate progress on GEWE across the humanitarian, peace, and development nexus,” she said.
The movement has worked with more than 3 000 other women in the T/A, engaging with women from other faith groups, Village Savings and loans, mother groups and support groups.
Their interventions in conflict prevention and promoting peace in their communities are in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 132— Women, Peace and Security.
The group received capacity through trainings and various interactions with various stakeholders.
They have since been instrumental in conflict prevention through self-driven efforts in mediating and resolving diverse conflicts, raising awareness efforts and advocacy engagements with community and district level stakeholders to promote peace.
They also address child marriages and keep girls withdrawn from child marriages in school, undertake economic empowerment initiatives (Peace and development nexus) to sustain livelihood, resolve and provide referrals for GBV cases and take part in leadership and decision-making positions.
