Women’s groups in Thyolo have successfully resolved 51 cases of conflict and gender-based violence (GBV), including incidents of physical abuse and child marriages between January and August 2025.

According to the Area Peace and Unity Committees (APUCs), members addressed 43 GBV cases, mostly involving economic abuse, while girls’ clubs mediated six cases, including the termination of two child marriages.

Chairperson of the District Peace and Unity Committee (DPUC), Martin Kavalo, commended the progress, especially in reducing violence related to politics and social disputes.

“Through the capacity built in women, girls, and peace committees, cases of mob justice in the district have reduced. People are now reporting abuse because help is within reach,” said Kavalo.“We are very thankful that even during the campaign period for the September 16 elections, the district has had peaceful campaigns without riots. This is happening because of the collaboration organizations like Chipembere and others are implementing in the district.”

These achievements were highlighted during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by Chipembere Community Development Organization (CCDO), aimed at mapping progress and strengthening collaboration among political leaders, civil society, women’s groups, girls’ clubs, and peace committees.

The mediation and advocacy efforts are a direct result of CCDO’s two-year project (2024–2026) titled “Progressive Peace Building and Conflict Prevention among Women and Girls in Rural Communities of Thyolo.”

With support from the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) through UN Women, the project is being implemented in the areas of Traditional Authorities Bvumbwe, Changata, Nchiramwela, Maggie, and Maganiza.

So far, 97 girls in five girls’ clubs, 30 women’s group members, and 55 APUC members have been trained in mediation and advocacy. Currently, 44 women, 97 girls, and 55 APUC members are actively leading mediation and advocacy efforts across the five TAs.

“We built the capacity of women groups, girls’ clubs, and Area Peace and Unity Committees because lasting peace can only be achieved when communities themselves are equipped to prevent and resolve conflicts,”said Dalitso Chiwayula, Executive Director of CCDO.“Our approach is to shift women and girls from being passive recipients of support to becoming active leaders of change. Strengthening their capacity means that even after this project ends, Thyolo will continue to have strong voices and structures to prevent GBV and promote peace.”

Chairperson of the Chisomo Women Group in TA Nchiramwela, Annie Tomato, explained that they are using village savings and loan groups (VSLs) and community outreach platforms to spread messages on ending GBV and empowering women.

“From January 2025 alone, 26 cases of domestic violence have been reported and resolved through our mediation efforts. Victims are now more willing to report abuse, and when cases prove difficult to resolve, we engage stakeholders such as chiefs and the police,” said Tomato.

However, she noted that GBV cases are still on the rise, particularly physical violence and land disputes.