T/A Chindi Reports Significant Reduction in Gender-Based Violence Cases
Purple Innovation project reduces GBV cases in Mzimba, writes Alinafe Sambo.
Mzimba, Malawi - A new project implemented by Purple Innovation for Women and Girls has helped to significantly reduce gender-based violence (GBV) cases in T/A Chindi, Mzimba district, writes Alinafe Sambo.
The project, which is funded by the Women, Peace, and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) and UN Women, has helped to establish seven women's forum groups, develop community by-laws against GBV, strengthen GBV reporting systems, train women in business, and provide seed capital for GBV survivors to embark on profitable business ventures.
As a result of these efforts, the number of reported GBV cases in T/A Chindi has dropped from 480 in 2021 to 77 in May 2023.
"This is a significant reduction, and it is a testament to the hard work of the Purple Innovation team, the women forum groups, and the community at large," said Washington Phiri, a community child protection worker in Euthini T/A Chindi.
"For a long time, women have been suffering at the hands of their husbands. But now, with the strengthening of community structures, we can coordinate efforts and provide a platform for women to voice out their pain and get the necessary help," he said.
Vickness Dindi is one of the survivors of gender violence in T/A Chindi who has benefited from the project. She was subjected to all forms of abuse by her husband, including physical and emotional abuse.
"It was horrible. I couldn't stand living in this marriage any longer because of the troubles I faced with my husband. He could beat me mercilessly over very petty issues," she said.
Dindi was introduced to Luweya Women's Forum, a group comprising GBV survivors who would regularly meet and discuss their challenges and possible solutions, linking each other to relevant service providers tackling gender-based violence.
The group helped Dindi break free from her abusive marriage.
The husband was reported to community structures, which later took the matter to the police.
He was finally arrested and prosecuted for his crimes.
"It wasn't easy for me to report my husband. Traditionally, women are asked to persevere. We suffer in silence and are made to believe that beating is part of the marriage life," she said
Luweya Women's Forum further supported Vickness Dindi with psychosocial support, and business management skills and helped her start her own business so that she was able to provide for her family.
Lettie Chirambo is another GBV survivor from T/A Chindi, whose husband went to South Africa some 10 years ago and couldn’t send any help for her and the kids, which made her life miserable.
“My husband could not send me any help since he left to look for a greener pasture, life was hard because I could not manage to take care of the kids alone and life in the village was not easy,” Chirambo said.
Chirambo told this publication that her life changed when she was also introduced to the women's forum.
She benefited from the business training and seed capital for her investment.
Besides reuniting with her husband, Chirambo says she has embarked on farming as a business and now her family is food secure.
Project officer for Purple Innovation Amelias Sichinga said the reduction in reported cases is attributed to the multi-disciplinary approach the organization took in implementing its activities.
"We worked with different stakeholders, including the community, the police, the judiciary, and the traditional leaders," she said.
"We also provided training and psycho-social support to GBV survivors," she added.
The project has so far helped over 3000 women in T/A Chindi.