Mzimba chief worried with women’s rights
Traditional Authority (T/A) Mpherembe of Mzimba says women in the district will continue to suffer from land-related abuse if primary justice system is not strengthened.
He said during a training workshop organised by Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Mzuzu Diocese that Mzimba is a matrilineal society whose cultural set up does not empower women to participate in decision-making.
Mpherembe however, said slowly the mindset of people in the district is changing.
“The inclusion of women in village tribunals has also assisted them to voice out their concerns and issues that negatively affect them. This means that this programme has also assisted our women to realise their human rights,” said Mpherembe.
The training which took place at Ekwendeni in Mzimba on Saturday was for primary justice community-based educators.
CCJP project manager Felix Manda said the organisation expects community-based educators and traditional leaders trained in the project to reach out to others through trainings and sensitisation meetings whenever the project phases out.
“We have also partnered with magistrate courts. These go to the communities to settle cases referred to them,” he said.
The institution has been implementing the project in Mzimba North, particularly in the areas of T/As Chindi, Mpherembe, Jalavikuba and Mtwalo to empower people to access justice at the community level. n
