Islamic Relief Malawi, a faith-based humanitarian and development agency, has embarked on a K2 billion three-year project in Mangochi District to end sexual abuse, poverty and food insecurity.

Speaking on Friday during the presentation of the project to stakeholders in the district, the organisation’s food security and livelihood coordinator Christopher Malamba said the project, which will run for three years in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mponda, follows an assessment which showed that the area is falling behind in the fight against sexual abuse and food security.

He said: “In our 2022 survey, we established that due to cultural practices, gender-based violence is continuing in areas of group village head Mponda, Muchande and Chipeta under T/A Mponda in Mangochi.

“Most affected groups are girls and women and in some cases even boys. This violence includes sexual abuse, finance-related, physical abuse and emotional abuse.”

Malamba said among main activities they intend to implement under the project include raising awareness on issues affecting adolescent girls and women, supporting community structures to address harmful cultural practices as well as providing start-up grant to 150 village savings and loans groups.

Mangochi District Council agriculture, gender and extension support services officer Chimwemwe Chisenga commended Islamic Relief for the project, saying it will help vulnerable communities to be self-reliant.

He said due to lack of guardians’ support, many adolescent girls in Mangochi marry early, fuelling teenage pregnancies.

The project seeks to improve food and nutritional security of 3 000 vulnerable smallholder households in the three villages.

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