The Mzimba-based Towvirane organization has called on women, especially adolescent girls, to report abuses such as sexual exploitation in workplaces to the responsible authorities for action.

The organization’s coordinator, Cecilia Chivunga Phiri, told Zodiak that with high levels of unemployment in the country, employers are likely to exploit young girls who have just graduated from colleges.

"Currently, our observation is that the duty bearers, who are supposed to be exemplary, are the ones abusing or harassing women sexually whenever they seek employment," she said.

 Phiri further noted that such malpractices also occur in society and learning institutions. "This vice also takes place in learning institutions like colleges, where lecturers exploit students in exchange for good grades," she added.

According to Phiri, adolescent girls or women who encounter such scenarios need to report to responsible offices like Social Welfare, the Judiciary, and the Police.

She made these remarks after engaging with different adolescent girls at Mponela in Dowa on Wednesday, with support from the Global Fund through Y Plus and other organizations.

One of the adolescent girls, Philina Banda (not her real name), said the training is timely.

"When I was eight years old, my uncle nearly defiled me, but luckily I escaped after someone entered the house," she said.

Another participant, Charity Tembo from Mzuzu, mentioned that the knowledge gained will help them overcome such situations. The adolescent girls were drawn from the North, Centre, and South regions.

By Henderson Charles Msusa