GJU's Commitment to Combat GBV Strengthened Through Successful Community Sensitization Campaigns
These campaigns were met with enthusiasm and have made a significant impact.
Lilongwe, Malawi— The Gender and Justice Unit (GJU) has reaffirmed its dedication to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in the country through comprehensive community sensitization campaigns, writes Moses Nyirenda.
Following the successful completion of campaigns aimed at preventing GBV, GJU Deputy Director Emma Kalea Chigwenembe expressed the organization's commitment to expanding these initiatives to combat GBV cases nationwide.
GJU's extensive community sensitization campaigns were recently conducted in several areas, including Chitipi, Chigwirizano, Mtandire, and Lumbadzi, all located in Lilongwe district.
These campaigns were met with enthusiasm and have made a significant impact.
Chigwenembe, speaking on the conclusion of the community sensitization campaign at Lumbadzi in the village of Kulamula, praised the success of the initiative, saying, "It has been an empowering process, especially given our ability to reach out to community members across four different sites."
The community sensitization campaigns were not limited to providing legal knowledge on GBV.
The GJU also documented and offered assistance in cases of GBV that were recorded during the campaign, thereby providing practical support to affected individuals.
Chigwenembe highlighted the positive outcomes of the campaign, stating, "During these sensitization campaigns, we were delighted to see community members, including women, boys, and girls, coming forward with concerns, questions, and comments about GBV issues."
In Mtandire area alone, the GJU recorded 20 cases of GBV during the sensitization campaign, an experience described as wonderful.
This success has inspired the organization to continue and expand its efforts to prevent GBV cases across the nation.
Chigwenembe stated, "We have received positive feedback from the audience and recommendations to extend our initiative to other areas, including Dedza, Kasiya, and Mchinji. Therefore, this is not the end of the sensitization campaigns but the beginning of more advocacy initiatives on GBV prevention."
She expressed her gratitude to Trocaire, the Malawi Police Services, local chiefs, and other partners for their significant contributions, which collectively led to the success of the sensitization campaign on GBV prevention in Lilongwe.
Inspector Ellen Kanyenda of Lumbadzi Police also commended GJU's commitment to raising awareness about GBV prevention, recognizing that such awareness empowers community members with knowledge and information on how to prevent or report GBV cases to the police and other relevant authorities.