‘Mobile legal clinics critical in GBV fight’

Women Judges Association of Malawi has said mobile legal clinics are crucial in the fight against gender-based violence in Nkhata Bay.

Speaking on Saturday during a meeting with Nkhata Bay District Gender Technical Group, Judge Wongani Kanyenda said they want to bring courts close to GBV victims to enable them to access justice easily.

“As a response to the high demand for justice, we have assigned 30 lawyers to different districts to provide pro-bono services to GBV victims,” she said.

Nkhata Bay district gender officer Cecelia Kaunda said the initiative will enhance the fight against GBV in the district.

“This is in line with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, especially agenda number five which is gender equity and economic empowerment,” she said.

Meanwhile, some non-governmental organisations such as Youth Net and Counselling (Yoneco) have intensified GBV awareness campaigns in the district.

Nkhata Bay district Yoneco project officer Michael Mwanachawa said they are providing psychosocial support to GBV survivors in the district.