Spotlight Initiative Empowers Rural Communities to Combat Gender-Based Violence
The Ministry of Local Government highlights the success of the Spotlight Initiative in Dowa, reducing gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices.
DOWA, MALAWI — The Ministry of Local Government, Unity, and Culture has praised the impact of the Spotlight Initiative in Dowa, empowering rural communities to combat gender-based violence, writes Vincent Gunde.
During a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting, the Ministry's Chief Economist, Owen Nalivaka, emphasised the significant mindset change achieved through the involvement of traditional leaders.
Nalivaka stated, "The involvement of the traditional leaders has resulted in the abolition of detrimental cultural practises that support violence against women and girls at the local level."
The Spotlight Initiative, implemented through various pillars, including laws and policies, strengthening institutions, prevention, services, data, and the Women's Movement, has established community structures within the Local Authorities.
These structures specifically target women, girls, men, and boys, aiming to address gender-based violence.
Furthermore, the Ministry and Local Authorities have developed policies and by-laws to enhance the ongoing efforts to end gender-based violence and receive support from various institutions.
Nalivaka expressed the Ministry's commitment to securing increased funding from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).
This funding will ensure the continuation of prioritised interventions under the programme.
Decentralisation in the councils has been strengthened through the Spotlight Initiative, empowering Gender Technical Working Groups (GTWGs), Area Development Committees (ADCs), Village Development Committees (VDCs), and other entities.
The Chief Economist highlighted the success of the Spotlight Initiative, stating, "I am seeing a team of technocrats that have made the Spotlight Initiative a very successful programme in Dowa, having achieved a number of issues specifically in reducing sexual and Gender-Based Violence as well as eliminating harmful cultural practises at the community level."
Stallichi Mwambiwa, the District Commissioner for Dowa, affirmed the readiness of the community to continue with Spotlight programmes, acknowledging the initiative's contribution to mindset change among rural communities.
The Spotlight Initiative has placed Local Authorities on a positive pathway towards achieving the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Malawi 2063 agenda.
Through the Chiefs Forum, chiefs have played a crucial role in enforcing by-laws that address violence against women and girls.
The success of the Spotlight Initiative in Dowa has set a precedent for scaling up activities to benefit all rural people in the country, ultimately working towards a society free from gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices.