Lilongwe District Council gender officer Lirani Katutu has urged women and girls in the district to report gender-based violence (GBV) to end the vice.
She said this on Saturday at Msundwe Trading Centre when the district commemorated Women’s International Day.
Katutu said the council has an obligation to ensure that women and girls are free from GBV or any form of exploitation.
“Women are crucial for the country’s development. Therefore, they need all the support they can get from authorities and the community at large,” she said.
Katutu highlighted the council’s initiatives in promoting women’s rights and participation in leadership roles.
Businessperson Aness Chiipira thanked the council for conducting the event in the area.
She said the march helped to raise awareness on GBV and rally support for women’s economic initiatives.
“The council encouraged us that we can venture into small businesses and farming,” said Chiipira.
On her part, Mdzobwe Primary School learner Alepha Phiri, who participated in a competition during the event, said the event empowered girls to report GBV.
“I believe the awareness will help protect girls from abuse,” she said.
Phiri said she was pleased that the council identified relevant authorities, including village heads and the police as key points where women and girls can report GBV.
The event was spiced up with performances such as dancing competition, drama and Coca-Cola drinking competition, among others.
The district commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day under the theme ‘All women’s and girls: Rights, equality and empowerment’.
