Spotlight Initiative Brings Positive Change to Dowa District: Gender Awareness, GBV Reporting Soar
The Spotlight Initiative has played a pivotal role in establishing better coordination and effective referral pathways for GBV cases.
Dowa, Malawi — The Gender Development office of Dowa District Council is celebrating the remarkable impact of the Spotlight Initiative, which has left a trail of positive change in the district, writes Vincent Gunde.
According to the Gender Office, the initiative has significantly increased community awareness about gender, gender-based violence (GBV), and related laws, while also creating more spaces for discussions on GBV.
One of the most significant achievements cited by the Gender Office is the improved coordination and responsiveness in addressing GBV, both at the community and district levels.
The Spotlight Initiative has played a pivotal role in establishing better coordination and effective referral pathways for GBV cases.
The initiative has not only led to an increase in the reporting of GBV cases but has also spurred community action.
This heightened awareness and knowledge of gender-related issues, GBV, and relevant laws have empowered communities throughout the district to actively participate in addressing GBV.
Dowa District boasts GBV by-laws that apply to all Traditional Authorities (T/As) and are awaiting gazetting by the Ministry of Justice. Chiefs forums are actively engaged in implementing these measures on the ground.
Zuwere Ross, the District Gender Officer for Dowa, revealed that, according to office statistics, 196 GBV cases were reported through chiefs' forums, 83 child marriages were nullified, and 31 girls have returned to school.
This represents significant progress facilitated by the Spotlight Initiative across all seven Traditional Authorities (T/As) in the district.
The introduction of mobile courts, a product of the Spotlight Initiative, has served as an educational tool for the local communities.
It has demonstrated how justice is delivered to GBV survivors and how communities can assist in reporting cases and preserving evidence.
Ross also acknowledged the increased participation of women in voicing issues relevant to their daily lives, which has led to more women holding Executive positions in bodies like the Area Development Committees (ADC), with Mkukula B cited as an example.
In a gesture of support, Ross assured Community Protection Workers (CPWs) that her office would provide assistance in GBV data management and fuel for their motorcycles to facilitate easier case follow-ups.
However, she acknowledged that the budget allocated was insufficient compared to the previous support from the Spotlight Initiative.
District MACOHA Supervisor for Dowa, Billy Maupa, expressed gratitude for the Spotlight Initiative's support for persons with disabilities in the district.
He expressed a hope that the initiative could extend its reach to boys, highlighting a physically challenged boy at Dowa Secondary School facing substantial challenges in receiving assistance, solely because of his gender.
The commitment of the Spotlight Initiative to addressing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality in Dowa District continues to yield transformative results, fostering a safer and more equitable community for all.