Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC) says Machinga has become a model district in advancing United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250, which promote women’s participation in peace-building.
This follows the successful implementation of the Mtendere Project in the district with support from the Peace-building Fund through UN Women.
Speaking during an exit meeting in Liwonde on Saturday, MHRRC programmes officer Charles Gawani said the nine-month project benefitted from strong collaboration with the District Peace and Unity Committee and Machinga District Council.
“We have seen women standing up and speaking against political violence during the just-ended elections and this has contributed to reduced cases of political violence,” he said.
Gawani said land disputes have long affected communities, often victimising women, but noted that hotspots in traditional authorities (T/As) Mposa, Mchinguza, Chikwewo and Mlomba have recorded peaceful resolutions.
On her part, Machinga District Women Peace and Unity Movement chairperson Grace Charles said the movement resolved over 60 land dispute cases from the four T/As.
“Women are now able to come out openly and report the violence they face, and cases of land disputes have decreased compared to previous years,” she said.
Machinga district lands officer Linda Majamanda says they established land tribunals in all 24 T/As to resolve disputes.
A consortium comprising MHRRC, Forum for Youth Development and Centre for Conflict Management and Women Affairs implemented the project in the district.
