UN lauds fight against gender-based violence

United Nations (UN) country resident coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh has expressed satisfaction with different interventions implemented under the Spotlight Initiative Programme to eliminate violence against women and girls in Mzimba District.

She said this on Tuesday at Edingeni during a field visit to appreciate the interventions that partners are implementing under the programme in the district.

Said Adda-Dontoh: “As an agency, we are pleased that the Spotlight Initiative Programme has empowered communities and women themselves to fight harmful cultural practices that fuel gender-based violence in the district.

“Despite the district still recording gender-based violence cases, what is worth noting is that women and girls can now report and fight the abuses they face.”

She urged chiefs, the council and civil society organisations to continue championing interventions that protect women and girls from various forms of abuse in the district.

“There is no time to relax. We need all stakeholders at  district level to work together to advocate and ensure women and girls are protected from abuses and that they are developing in the society,” said Adda-Dontoh.

M’Mbelwa District Council director of education, youth and sports Fiddes Msowoya said the Spotlight Initiative Programme has helped to raise awareness about violence against women and girls.

“The programme has also empowered women and girls to improve their socio-economic statuses through entrepreneurial trainings,” she said.

Mary Nkosi, a single mother of four from Edingeni, said she benefitted from the programme in a number of ways.

She said: “First, the programme empowered us on how to report gender-based violence to relevant authorities.

“Second, we acquired business management skills which have boosted our economic statuses. I am now able to provide for my children.”

Spotlight Initiative Programme is funded by the European Union to end violence against women and girls in the country.