Chipembere Community Development Organisation says it has equipped women and girls in Thyolo District with skills to resolve conflicts, including gender-based violence (GBV).
Through its Progressive Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Project, the organisation established girls’ clubs and women’s groups in traditional authorities (T/As) Maggie, Changata, Bvumbwe, Nchiramwela and Maganiza in the district to record, resolve and report conflicts, including GBV.
Speaking on Monday at Mikate Primary School in T/A Maganiza during an awareness campaign on conflict resolution, the organisation’s monitoring and evaluation officer Victor Mnoniwa said the project seeks to prevent GBV, strengthen community-level conflict resolution systems and empower women to take up leadership positions in local development structures.
“Through the project, we have equipped local structures to mediate domestic violence, marital disputes and land-related conflicts, offering free, confidential and community-based support that encourages affected families and survivors to seek help,” he said.
Mnoniwa said by using local solutions, communities become more open to reporting cases.
Thyolo district principal gender and development officer Gerald Zgambo stressed the importance of ongoing community sensitisation, particularly during this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
T/A Maganiza also commended the organisation for empowering young people to rise into leadership roles.
The two-year project is running with support from Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund through UN Women Malawi
