Stakeholders Praise WOLREC's Anti-GBV Efforts in Chikwawa
WOLREC's mission is to facilitate increased access to justice for women and girls in Malawi.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi - Stakeholders in Chiwawa have expressed satisfaction with the strategies used by the Women's Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) to combat gender-based violence in the area, write Comfort Bulangete and Noel Chimwala.
Our reporters spoke to random stakeholders who have attended several trainings organised by WOLREC.
"WOLREC has engaged our office in several trainings, which has helped us improve some skills in reporting and handling GBV cases in the area," said Joseph Salulu, a child protection worker for Ngabu.
Rhoda Malunga, headmaster of Jombo Primary School, said, "The training conducted by WOLREC on women's empowerment, child protection, constitution laws, and GBV-related issues has helped us learn a lot, which is going to reduce cases in our school."
Mermory Chideya, a member of the Goma Youth Club from Thomu Village, commended WOLREC for organising the training.
"They are an eye-opener for us as we are now able to know about good leadership, how to prevent GBV, and where to report if we experience it in our homes, schools, and communities," she said.
Grace Chakwamba, secretary for the Malawi Church of God in Mtuwa area, said being part of the training has benefited her greatly.
"We are now able to teach fellow members in church how they can prevent GBV and where they can report if they have been victimized," she said.
WOLREC Project Officer Grastean Kanjala said the organization has been conducting various trainings since April in TA Ngabu to equip stakeholders with knowledge and skills on GBV, leadership, constitutional law, child protection and gender issues. The training is supported by Irish Aid through Trocaire.
"We have managed to teach them leadership skills for them to understand how other people use power or authority to perpetuate gender-based violence against young girls and women," Kanjala said.
"We have equipped them with skills on how they can be good leaders and be able to prevent and report GBV."
Kanjala continued, "We hope that when these stakeholders go to their respective homes, schools and communities they will be able to create awareness to their fellow community members in various groups."
He further said WOLREC is working in collaboration with government departments like Gender, Police, Courts, Social Welfare and Education, as well as traditional leaders and the media, "to teach people how to fight against gender-based violence."
WOLREC's mission is to facilitate increased access to justice for women and girls in Malawi.
The organization is implementing different projects in 20 districts. The trainings in Ngabu are part of WOLREC's efforts to combat GBV through education and empowering community members, leaders, and institutions.