* According to research, violence against women and girls is the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world
* 2020 research survey by Unicef revealed that 42% of women in Malawi have experienced physical violence from a partner at some point in their lives
By Duncan Mlanjira
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP)-Blantyre Synod, through the Church and Society programme, calls upon all stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns during 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence 2024, which starts today, November 25 through December 10.
In a statement, Church and Society’s Executive Director, Rev Master Jumbe says they join the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, under the theme; ‘Unite to End Violence against Women and Girls in Malawi: Towards Beijing+30’.
Rev. Master Jumbe
“According to research, violence against women and girls is the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world,” says Rev. Jumbe in the statement.
“This event is coming against a background of a 2020 research survey, by Unicef, that revealed that 42% of women in Malawi have experienced physical violence from a partner at some point in their lives.
“This figure is significantly higher than the global average rate of 27%. We, therefore, believe that the solutions to this state of affairs lies in robust responses, including investing in prevention by different stakeholders.
“Regrettably, however, it has been observed that nations world over are not investing that much to counteract violence against women and girls.
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As a Synod, Rev. Jumbe adds that they “bemoan the trend at which cases of GBV are increasing in Malawi, saying: “Statistics have shown that in Thyolo District alone, 69 cases of defilement were reported to police last year, 2023 but they are yet to be prosecuted.
“We are, therefore, concerned with the slow pace at which cases of sexual violence are being handled by the law enforcement agencies. It is a fact that ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ and we call upon all law enforcement agencies to speed up the justice delivery systems in all the sexual violence cases.
“Our memories are still fresh of a Standard 8 girl from Ntambanyama Primary School, who was defiled and eventually murdered on January 16, 2023. It is sad to note that the suspects were freed due to, what the courts said was lack of evidence.”
As the way forward, the Church & Society maintains that this year’s commemoration in Malawi, “should remind different stakeholders to collectively join hands in investing resources, efforts, expertise and skills to end the vice”.
Thus calling upon all stakeholders to, among others;
i) intensify campaigns to raise awareness on GBV;
ii) promote women empowerment programmes;
iii) involve men as well as boys in the fight against GBV;
iv) to civic educate masses in non-violence and equality between men and women;
v) challenge all forms of stereotypes at workplaces and society at large;
vi) to speed up GBV cases and mete out stiffer penalties to perpetrators; and
vii) report any form of GBV to relevant authorities without fear or favour.
“Together we can and together we must end GBV in this country,” concludes the statement from Rev Master Jumbe.
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