The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) programme officer Wanangwa Rachel Mganga has called for collaboration in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in Mchinji District.
She said this on Tuesday at the close of a three-day awareness campaign in ending GBV conducted in traditional authorities Mkanda, Mduwa and Zulu.

Mganga said there was need for different stakeholders to collaborate in the district in disseminating sexual and reproductive health measures to empower girls.

A drama group disseminates GBV messages

“During the campaign, we also encouraged youths to go for education and access family planning services to overcome the vice,” she said.
Mchinji district gender officer Mariana Kanjirawaya said boys and girls should be given equal opportunities to access education.
“It is only through civic education that the country can end gender-based violence. Men should take responsibility in taking care of their wives and vice versa,” she said.

Senior Chief Mkanda blamed parents who neglect their children, saying they expose them to sexual abuse.
“When parents fail to provide basic needs and school fees for their children, some men take advantage of the situation to abuse them,” he said.

With support from the Korean International Cooperation Agency, UNPFA is implementing a four-year Action for Teen mothers and Adolescent Girls Project in Mchinji to equip young girls with sexual and reproductive health knowledge.
The project, running from 2021 to 2024 is implemented with other partners, including Malawi Girl Guides Association and Family Planning Association of Malawi. n

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