Empowering Lilongwe: GJU's Bold Drive to Eradicate Gender-Based Violence
The GJU is dedicated to creating a safer environment and promoting gender equality within Lilongwe communities through this comprehensive sensitization campaign.
Lilongwe, Malawi - The Gender and Justice Unit (GJU) has initiated a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) sensitization campaign in various Lilongwe communities to educate residents about GBV-related issues and bridge the knowledge gap, writes Moses Nyirenda.
On Tuesday, GJU conducted a successful sensitization campaign at the Chitipi community.
GJU Deputy Director, Emma Kalea Chigwenembe, highlighted the campaign's objectives, saying, "We just want to bridge the knowledge gap and also empower the community members to address issues of gender-based violence that they are experiencing within their communities."
Chigwenembe stressed the importance of raising awareness about the legal resources available in their office and informing the community about accessible GBV service providers.
She added, "We are doing the sensitization campaign with funding from Trocaire, and we plan to extend our efforts to reach community members in the townships of Mtandile, Chigwilizano, and Lumbadzi."
The campaign is mainly targeting women, GBV survivors, and men within the community.
To ensure the success of this initiative, GJU has collaborated with authorities from the Malawi Police Service, Malawi Law Commission, and community leaders.
Paralegal officers are also engaged to provide legal assistance to community members who may require such services during the sensitization campaign.
Chigwenembe encouraged community members from the targeted areas to actively participate in the campaign. She said, "We would like to see more people coming to our legal clinics to access support for their specific needs on the ground."
In response to the campaign, Lines Harrison from Chitipi, who is Senior Group Village Head Mwanza working under Traditional Authority (T/A) Malili, emphasized the importance of addressing GBV issues that affect both men and women in their communities.
The GJU is dedicated to creating a safer environment and promoting gender equality within Lilongwe communities through this comprehensive sensitization campaign.