In Malawi's Fight Against Gender Violence, Progress Meets Rural Reality
"We're seeing encouraging numbers—1,261 reported cases this year compared to 1,808 in 2023," says Police Commissioner James Banda.
RUMPHI, Malawi — In the dimly lit community hall in Rumphi district, women gather in hushed circles, sharing stories that rarely make it to police records.
Despite a 30% drop in reported gender-based violence cases across Northern Malawi, local activists say these numbers tell only part of the story, writes Lovemore Shaba.
"The perpetrators live among us, but their crimes remain hidden," says Chiza Ngulube, chair of the Rumphi Women Forum, her voice carrying across the wooden benches where women from surrounding villages sit shoulder to shoulder.
"In our rural communities, silence has become as dangerous as violence itself."
This persistent challenge of unreported abuse formed the backdrop for First Lady Monica Chakwera's recent address at Mzuzu State Lodge, where she urged Malawians to extend their fight against gender-based violence beyond the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign.
"Gender-based violence is not only a violation of human rights but also a critical health and developmental challenge that deeply impacts our families, communities, and the nation," the First Lady said.
Her call to action comes as Malawi works toward meeting its commitments under the Beijing +30 agreement, a global framework for gender equality.
"We're seeing encouraging numbers—1,261 reported cases this year compared to 1,808 in 2023," says Police Commissioner James Banda.
"But in a culture where domestic matters often stay behind closed doors, statistics can be misleading."
At Lusani Primary School, where children play in the dusty courtyard, Tiwonge Gondwe of the Chikulamayembe Women Forum points to education as the key to lasting change.
"Every teacher, every parent, and every community leader must become a frontline defender against violence," she says.
"We cannot wait for the next campaign or the next incident."
The reality on the ground suggests both progress and persistent challenges.
In Rumphi district, where dirt roads wind through tobacco fields and traditional authorities still hold significant sway over community affairs, reporting abuse often means challenging deeply entrenched cultural norms.
"Development and violence cannot coexist," says Atupele Mwalweni, Rumphi's district gender officer, standing in her office adorned with posters promoting women's rights.
"But changing hearts and minds requires more than just sixteen days of attention each year."
As the sun sets over Mzuzu, casting long shadows across the state lodge where the First Lady made her appeal, the message is clear: Malawi's fight against gender-based violence will be won not in government offices but in the thousands of villages where women are finding their voices, one story at a time.