Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Wolrec) says it will continue raising awareness on gender-based violence (GBV) in Blantyre as the cases are rampant in the district.

The organisation’s GBV project officer Ernest Mujavo said this on Wednesday during a roadshow against GBV at Chadzunda Market in Blantyre.

He said they were targeting Cyclone Freddy survivors with the message because some of them experienced GBV during the disaster.

Mujavo said statistics indicate that on average 50 people report GBV cases in Blantyre.

A police officer speaks to community members at Chadzunda, Blantyre

He said this is a clear indication that stakeholders need to join hands to fight the vice.

Said Mujavo: “With funding from UN Women, Wolrec has been implementing a four-month project aimed at raising awareness about GBV, targeting Cyclone Freddy survivors.

“We are targeting market days and today being Wednesday, our target is Chadzunda and Madziabango markets. After these roadshows, we believe we will reach 10 000 people with GBV messages in Blantyre.”

Blantyre Police Station community policing coordinator Dan Sangwa commended Wolrec for the initiative, saying many people are now reporting GBV cases.

“In Blantyre, more women are reporting GBV matters but the challenge remains with men who mostly do not report GBV cases,” he said.

In an interview, 20-year-old Happiness Banda from Njowe Village in Traditional Authority Somba said she left her husband because of GBV.

“He used to beat me like a punch bag. I believe that the campaign will help communities to identify, respond and prevent GBV and other issues,” she said.

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