Police officers trained in curbing violence ahead of polls
As the May 21 Tripartite Elections draw closer, at least 30 police officers from across the Central Region have been trained on how they can respond to Violence Against Women in Elections (Vawe).
The training, which took place at Central Region Police headquarters in Lilongwe, was supported by the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare (MGCDSW), UN Women and UNDP in partnership with the Malawi Police Service.
Speaking during the event, MGCDSW principal gender officer Joseph Kalelo said the orientation of police officers is vital in ensuring timely monitoring, response as well as addressing cases of Vawe.
“Women and girls should ably participate in various stages of politics either by voting, supporting or contesting in decision-making positions without fear and it is only possible with assurance of security and protection from the police, hence the need for this orientation,” said Kalelo. Central Region Commissioner of Police Evalista Chisale said the training has come at the right time when 13 cases of violence against women in elections have already been reported in the country with a possibility of unpredictable violence erupting.
