Karonga South legislator Uchizi Mkandawire (Malawi Congress Party) has urged non-governmental organisations, traditional leaders and the clergy to scale up efforts in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
He said this on Friday at Hara in Traditional Authority (T/A) Wasambo during the launch of the 2024 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
Mkandawire, who is also Minister of Youth and Sports, said the vice affects women and girls in society.
He said: “This calls for the recognition of progress made while acknowledging the critical work that remains to build a safer and violent-free Karonga.
“Statistics indicate that one in three women aged between 15 and 49 has suffered physical violence and one in four has endured sexual violence.”
On her part, Karonga district gender officer Ireen Mwenelupembe said individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), policymakers, traditional and church leaders should unite in the fight against the vice.
“GBV needs concerted efforts to eradicate. Above all, let us report every GBV case to relevant authorities,” she said.
Karonga Police Station officer-in-charge Kelvin Mulezo said his office is overwhelmed with complaints on human trafficking, early marriages, witchcraft allegations, mob justice and beating of police officers.
In his remarks, Karonga District Civil Society Organisation Network chairperson Edgar Phiri said the district’s civil society organisations and NGOs will not relent in the fight against GBV.
The launch featured a solidarity march led by women in uniform from the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Malawi Police Service (MPS) and Malawi Prison Service
