Men Urged to Report Gender-Based Violence Cases to Police
Sergeant Alufai made this appeal during a community sensitization event on GBV organized by The Gender and Justice Unit (GJU) in the Chigwirizano area of Lilongwe.
LILONGWE, Malawi - Sergeant Edward Alufai, the Community Policing Coordinator of Chinsapo Police Unit, has called upon men across the country to actively report cases of gender-based violence (GBV) to the police when encountered within their families and communities, writes Moses Nyirenda.
Sergeant Alufai made this appeal during a community sensitization event on GBV organized by The Gender and Justice Unit (GJU) in the Chigwirizano area of Lilongwe.
He highlighted the critical need for men to come forward with cases of GBV, emphasizing the severe consequences when they choose to remain silent.
"Most of the time, men tend to keep their suffering hidden, especially when they face GBV or any form of abuse from a woman or girl. Instead of seeking help from the police, they often choose to suffer in silence, sometimes leading to tragic consequences," Alufai stated.
In contrast, women are more likely to share their problems with peers and law enforcement, which, Alufai explained, contributes to the lower incidence of suicides among women in the country.
Therefore, he encouraged men to overcome the stigma associated with reporting GBV incidents and to engage with the police.
"We are encouraging men everywhere to remember that a problem shared is a problem halved. They should embrace the spirit of reaching out to us when facing GBV issues. We keep all information confidential, and no one will ever know what they've reported," Alufai assured.
Sergeant Alufai also expressed gratitude to the Gender and Justice Unit (GJU) for their efforts in organising community sensitization campaigns on GBV, emphasising that such initiatives would play a crucial role in addressing the prevailing issues of GBV in the country.
GJU Deputy Director, Emma Kalea Chigwenembe, elaborated on the organization's objectives, emphasising the urgency to bridge the knowledge gap among community members regarding GBV and related concerns.
"Our primary goal is to close this knowledge gap and empower community members, including both men and women, to effectively address issues related to gender-based violence within their respective communities," Chigwenembe stated.
She continued, "We also aim to raise awareness, particularly about the legal resources available through our office, and provide information on accessible GBV service providers for community members without encountering any challenges."
The community sensitization campaign, sponsored by Trocaire, has already been successfully conducted in Chitipi and Chigwirizano areas of Lilongwe.
GJU's comprehensive outreach efforts are expected to continue in Mtandile and Lumbadzi, expanding the impact of their campaign throughout the region.