United Nations Women (UN Women) country representative Letty Chiwara has admitted that cases of gender-based violence (GBV) are still high in the country and has called for intensified efforts to end the vice.

She said this on Friday in Ntchisi where the Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza and officials from the UN assessed the impact of the Spotlight Initiative which is aimed at ending violence against women and girls.

However, Chiwara observed that in Mzuzu, Nkhata Bay, Dowa, Ntchisi, Machinga and Nsanje where the 500 million euro (about K600 billion) project was implemented, such cases are getting less.

She said: “Despite all the progress we have seen, there are still a lot of cases of violence against women and girls.

“But we have noted that in Spotlight districts, the cases are getting less, and at the same time, survivors are reporting, which is good.”

Chiwara added that policies and laws on sexual abuse and domestic violence in the country must be implemented.

On her part, Sendeza said she was pleased that chiefs in Ntchisi District are taking part in ending violence against women and girls through various programmes, including women’s movement, chiefs’ forum, and mentorship to sustain the programme.

Ntchisi North East legislator Olipa Chimangeni (Malawi Congress Party) said many girls are now back to school after being withdrawn from early marriages. Meanwhile, an evaluation by the European Union put the Spotlight Initiative Malawi which is now phasing out, on position four out of 28.

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