Nkhata Bay Council decries violence against men

Nkhata Bay district gender officer Cecilia Kaunda has bemoaned the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) against men in the district.

She said this on Friday during the launch of 16 Days of Activism Against GBV at Mkondezi Primary School in the district.

Kaunda said violence against men was one of the causes of suicide among men in the district.

She urged stakeholders to pay attention to what men go through as the district has recorded 136 cases of violence against men between January and October this year.

“With the understanding that most victims of GBV are women and girls, paying a blind eye to what men experience in families has resulted in men committing suicide,” said Kaunda.

She said the district has brought on board male champions to sensitise their fellow men on how they can deal with and report GBV cases.

One of the male champions, Senior Chief Mkumbira said structures have been established to fight GBV in his area.

“We will also abolish cultural practices that fuel violence in families,” he said.

The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is commemorated every year from November 25 to December 10.

During the commemoration, people reflect on the evils of the vice and commit to create a society free of GBV.

The launch was spiced up with different performances, including chilimika and malipenga dances.