CSOs challanged to strengthen collaboration in the fight against GBV
The Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare launched the 16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV) on 23 November 2018 at College of Medicine in Blantyre.
Malawi is commemorating the 16 days under the theme “End GBV in the World Work and Tertiary Institution”. The campaign against GBV tallies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 5 which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
The event was graced by the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Honourable Cecilia Chazama MP who called on individuals, Civil Society Organisations and different stakeholders to join her ministry in order to strengthen collaboration in the fight against GBV. She emphasised that GBV issues need to be addressed in all areas not only the work place or tertiary institutions as this year’s theme stipulates.
Adding in her remarks, she highlighted of how GBV is counterproductive and retrogressive as it undermines a country’s productivity, prevents attainment of SDGs and the Malawi Development Goals and Strategies.
Apart from the 16 Days of Activism activities, the event also marked the official launching of the Ndiulula (I Won’t Be Silent) silent campaign; a joint government and civil society national advocacy initiative whose goal is to break the silence and strengthen response mechanisms on violence against women and girls in the world of work.
The day was characterised by a solidarity march, storytelling from survivors of GBV also spiced up by music and dance performances.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign is commemorated in over 160 countries since its introduction in 1991. In Malawi, it is being supported by various stakeholders which include Action Aid, Plan International, WORLEC, ZATHU, United Nations, Engender Health, SAT, University of Malawi, Timveni, LUANAR, Self Help Africa, MCTU, Norwegian Church Aid, Malawi Human Rights Commission and DAPP Malawi.
