NATIONAL NEWS | Zodiak Malawi OnlineZodiak Broadcasting Station. Zikachitika Mumvera kwa Ife. We are here to provide you with Breaking news, sport, TV and radio. To Educate, Inform and to Entertain you wherever you are.https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw-22024-03-28T18:44:50+00:00Joomla! - Open Source Content ManagementMCC Engages Men on Health Services2021-02-26T14:59:18+00:002021-02-26T14:59:18+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3126-mcc-engages-men-on-health-servicesMoses Masiyenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/085648ceec5136f96a922e7f5da3f7b0_XL.jpg" alt="Part of the session" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) is engaging men and boys from different religious denominations in an effort to create a platform to discuss the importance of seeking health services.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">MCC Field Officer for Balaka district Triza Chirwa says the men and boys are reached alongside their religious leaders under a project they are implementing with support from The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through Health Policy Plus.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chirwa says: - "We thought of bringing together men and boys so that they may encourage each other on improving health seeking, a behavior which is so low among them unlike the opposite gender."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">She says they have also trained religious leaders to assist talk to men on the same.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We feel religious leaders have an influence in the society and that may be influential in appealing for a mindset change among these men and women," said Chirwa.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Weston Kamwendo a member of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) says they have different forums where they would discuss on the importance of seeking health services in good time.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kamwendo said: "We have the men's ministry and other youth forums where we would encourage each other as men and boys that we improve."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">MCC is implementing Religious Leaders Advise and Inform Men and Boys (AIM2) Faith Communities Initiative (FCI) HIV Project which is funded by USaid Pepfar initiative through Palladium Group/ Health policy plus- HP+.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/085648ceec5136f96a922e7f5da3f7b0_XL.jpg" alt="Part of the session" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) is engaging men and boys from different religious denominations in an effort to create a platform to discuss the importance of seeking health services.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">MCC Field Officer for Balaka district Triza Chirwa says the men and boys are reached alongside their religious leaders under a project they are implementing with support from The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through Health Policy Plus.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chirwa says: - "We thought of bringing together men and boys so that they may encourage each other on improving health seeking, a behavior which is so low among them unlike the opposite gender."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">She says they have also trained religious leaders to assist talk to men on the same.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We feel religious leaders have an influence in the society and that may be influential in appealing for a mindset change among these men and women," said Chirwa.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Weston Kamwendo a member of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) says they have different forums where they would discuss on the importance of seeking health services in good time.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kamwendo said: "We have the men's ministry and other youth forums where we would encourage each other as men and boys that we improve."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">MCC is implementing Religious Leaders Advise and Inform Men and Boys (AIM2) Faith Communities Initiative (FCI) HIV Project which is funded by USaid Pepfar initiative through Palladium Group/ Health policy plus- HP+.</p></div>Falling Wall Kills Child; Injures 32021-02-26T14:49:52+00:002021-02-26T14:49:52+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3125-falling-wall-kills-child-injures-3Moses Masiyenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/7e961fbbb45d09b8870e217b2b71c71b_XL.jpg" alt="The child died upon arrival at the hospital" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>A minor has died and three other children hospitalized at Mwanza district hospital after a wall of a house fell on them while passing on Tuesday afternoon.</strong></p>
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<p>Mwanza police public relations officer Edwin Kaunda says the four kids were going to Mwanza Market to buy freezes.</p>
<p>Kaunda says: "Due to heavy rains, the wall of the house fell on them thanks to some well-wishers who rescued three of them before taking them to Mwanza District Hospital."</p>
<p>The 3-year-old girl was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mwanza district hospital where postmortem indicates death was due to severe head injuries.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/7e961fbbb45d09b8870e217b2b71c71b_XL.jpg" alt="The child died upon arrival at the hospital" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>A minor has died and three other children hospitalized at Mwanza district hospital after a wall of a house fell on them while passing on Tuesday afternoon.</strong></p>
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<p>Mwanza police public relations officer Edwin Kaunda says the four kids were going to Mwanza Market to buy freezes.</p>
<p>Kaunda says: "Due to heavy rains, the wall of the house fell on them thanks to some well-wishers who rescued three of them before taking them to Mwanza District Hospital."</p>
<p>The 3-year-old girl was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mwanza district hospital where postmortem indicates death was due to severe head injuries.</p></div>Polytechnic Sounds SOS on Gadgets2021-02-26T14:45:38+00:002021-02-26T14:45:38+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3124-polytechnic-sounds-sos-on-gadgetsAlfred Gutanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/c919010fcec2d336e223258a493e5ce9_XL.jpg" alt="Chitera receiving the cheque" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Polytechnic management has sounded SOS calling upon well-wishers to support needy students at the University with gadgets for online lessons.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">The Polytechnic Principal Nancy Chitera told Zodiak that over 700 needy students are struggling to access online classes as a result.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On Thursday the University launched a gadget campaign in a drive to rescue the needy students.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Three reasons why we are on this campaign; first, with the pandemic in our midst we do not want to close the institution because we do not know when the pandemic is going to subside.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“We want to continue with whatever we planned to deliver to our students. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“We have moved to Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERTL). We need gadgets; be it a laptop, tablet or a good phone besides we need bundles as well,” she said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Benedicto Nkhoma, the University alumnus currently working with NBS Bank as Chief of Treasury and Global Markets, told Zodiak Online that he felt duty bound to be part of the campaign.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“I have been a student here. I graduated in 1995. I know some of the students cannot afford the gadgets, for me it was very touching to be part of this initiative.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“I have engaged my colleagues to support the campaign and they have assured me of their commitment towards the campaign,” said Nkhoma.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He donated K500, 000 as seed money towards the initiative.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking on behalf of needy students in the campaign, Mathew Phiri, has hailed the initiative saying it will make a difference.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mathew, who is pursuing Bachelor of Energy Engineering year 4, said access to online lessons will no longer be a hassle having received a tablet through the campaign.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“It was very difficult for me to attend classes due to the problem of gadgets; my education will be easy. I will be able to attend classes just like my colleagues who have gadgets,” said Mathew.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Covid-19 pandemic has been forcing most of the learning institutions in the country to go online.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/c919010fcec2d336e223258a493e5ce9_XL.jpg" alt="Chitera receiving the cheque" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Polytechnic management has sounded SOS calling upon well-wishers to support needy students at the University with gadgets for online lessons.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Polytechnic Principal Nancy Chitera told Zodiak that over 700 needy students are struggling to access online classes as a result.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On Thursday the University launched a gadget campaign in a drive to rescue the needy students.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Three reasons why we are on this campaign; first, with the pandemic in our midst we do not want to close the institution because we do not know when the pandemic is going to subside.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“We want to continue with whatever we planned to deliver to our students. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“We have moved to Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERTL). We need gadgets; be it a laptop, tablet or a good phone besides we need bundles as well,” she said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Benedicto Nkhoma, the University alumnus currently working with NBS Bank as Chief of Treasury and Global Markets, told Zodiak Online that he felt duty bound to be part of the campaign.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“I have been a student here. I graduated in 1995. I know some of the students cannot afford the gadgets, for me it was very touching to be part of this initiative.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“I have engaged my colleagues to support the campaign and they have assured me of their commitment towards the campaign,” said Nkhoma.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He donated K500, 000 as seed money towards the initiative.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking on behalf of needy students in the campaign, Mathew Phiri, has hailed the initiative saying it will make a difference.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mathew, who is pursuing Bachelor of Energy Engineering year 4, said access to online lessons will no longer be a hassle having received a tablet through the campaign.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“It was very difficult for me to attend classes due to the problem of gadgets; my education will be easy. I will be able to attend classes just like my colleagues who have gadgets,” said Mathew.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Covid-19 pandemic has been forcing most of the learning institutions in the country to go online.</p></div>A Guide Into MCP Primary Elections in LL Msinja South2021-02-26T11:30:00+00:002021-02-26T11:30:00+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/3127-a-guide-into-mcp-primary-elections-in-ll-msinja-southOnline Journalistnyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/2141a8494a322a673ed7cb5a1b10010b_XL.jpg" alt="some of the candidates contesting in the primary elections. From left to right is Kabwazi, Kunkeyani, Chadza , Chibwana and Yokonia Mvula." /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>As Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is set to hold a primary election in Lilongwe Msinja South constituency this Saturday, 27 February, here is what you need to know about the constituency and candidates contesting in the primaries.</strong></p>
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<p>The parliamentary seat for the area fell vacant following the death of veteran MCP legislator Lingson Belekanyama who served as a lawmaker for the area for 17 years.</p>
<p>Traditionally the area is regarded as an MCP Stronghold and had a total of 34,816 voters in the tripartite elections and court-sanctioned fresh presidential elections.</p>
<p>The primary elections are being held to identify a flag-bearer of the ruling party ahead of the 30 March by-election to be held also in six other constituencies and two wards following deaths and court nullifications.</p>
<p>Twelve people have expressed interest to contest on MCP ticket in the area and there is a potential threat of some candidates going independent emanating from primary elections fallout.</p>
<p>The constituency’s major challenge is poor road networks as evidenced by the lack of tarmac roads which makes the roads impassable during the rainy season and there is no boarding secondary school too in the area.</p>
<p>The event will take place at Kalesi primary school and a secret ballot will be used as one way of preventing voter intimidation by the aspirants and also adhering to the coronavirus pandemic preventive measures.</p>
<p>The candidates have signed a code of conduct pledging to accept results and support the winner but if history is anything to go by such pledges have proven to be ineffectual and largely get ignored as some opt to go independent after losing.</p>
<p>Regardless of whoever wins the primaries, he will have to battle it out with a horde of party-aligned independent candidates who could potentially split the vote in favor of a dark horse on the ballot paper.</p>
<p>The primaries will start at 9 am and here are the names of candidates vying for the MCP ticket: Francis Belekanyama, Jones Yamikani Chadza, Amos Chibwana, Lefinosi Omigo Chigamula, Fanizo Kabwazi, Lameck Kondesi, Henrick Chidzumeni Kunkeyani, Sam Mbendera, Walinase Mkonda, Hasten Mlinde, Herman Yokonia Mvula, and Symon Pondani.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>By Joshua Mphanda, MEC Stringer</strong></p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/2141a8494a322a673ed7cb5a1b10010b_XL.jpg" alt="some of the candidates contesting in the primary elections. From left to right is Kabwazi, Kunkeyani, Chadza , Chibwana and Yokonia Mvula." /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>As Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is set to hold a primary election in Lilongwe Msinja South constituency this Saturday, 27 February, here is what you need to know about the constituency and candidates contesting in the primaries.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>The parliamentary seat for the area fell vacant following the death of veteran MCP legislator Lingson Belekanyama who served as a lawmaker for the area for 17 years.</p>
<p>Traditionally the area is regarded as an MCP Stronghold and had a total of 34,816 voters in the tripartite elections and court-sanctioned fresh presidential elections.</p>
<p>The primary elections are being held to identify a flag-bearer of the ruling party ahead of the 30 March by-election to be held also in six other constituencies and two wards following deaths and court nullifications.</p>
<p>Twelve people have expressed interest to contest on MCP ticket in the area and there is a potential threat of some candidates going independent emanating from primary elections fallout.</p>
<p>The constituency’s major challenge is poor road networks as evidenced by the lack of tarmac roads which makes the roads impassable during the rainy season and there is no boarding secondary school too in the area.</p>
<p>The event will take place at Kalesi primary school and a secret ballot will be used as one way of preventing voter intimidation by the aspirants and also adhering to the coronavirus pandemic preventive measures.</p>
<p>The candidates have signed a code of conduct pledging to accept results and support the winner but if history is anything to go by such pledges have proven to be ineffectual and largely get ignored as some opt to go independent after losing.</p>
<p>Regardless of whoever wins the primaries, he will have to battle it out with a horde of party-aligned independent candidates who could potentially split the vote in favor of a dark horse on the ballot paper.</p>
<p>The primaries will start at 9 am and here are the names of candidates vying for the MCP ticket: Francis Belekanyama, Jones Yamikani Chadza, Amos Chibwana, Lefinosi Omigo Chigamula, Fanizo Kabwazi, Lameck Kondesi, Henrick Chidzumeni Kunkeyani, Sam Mbendera, Walinase Mkonda, Hasten Mlinde, Herman Yokonia Mvula, and Symon Pondani.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>By Joshua Mphanda, MEC Stringer</strong></p></div>COIDA; Eradicating GBV in Mzimba2021-02-25T07:18:29+00:002021-02-25T07:18:29+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/64-news-in-northern-region/3123-coida-eradicating-gbv-in-mzimbaVanani Nyirendanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/39caac1103b5a375784200f85bd017c6_XL.jpg" alt="COIDA; Eradicating GBV in Mzimba" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>In Malaŵi, one in every three women between the age of 15 to 49 experiences sexual or physical violence at one time or the other, according to the National statistical office.</strong></p>
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<p>The violence ranges from women and girls being defiled, raped, or forced into early marriages by their immediate biological parents.</p>
<p>Mzimba district in the northern province of Malawi has not been spared from such malpractice.</p>
<p>In the district, women play second fiddle to men due to the Ngoni patrilineal culture.</p>
<p>According to the district social welfare office in Mzimba south, the district has seen a 100% surge in child marriages where most have been arranged by parents for material gains.</p>
<p>In 2019 for instance the district registered 280 early marriages and in 2020 over 500 marriages were recorded.</p>
<p>However, with the spotlight initiative being implemented in the district there is light at the end of the tunnel.</p>
<p>The spotlight initiative is a program that focuses on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls being supported by UNDP with finances from the European Union.</p>
<p>One of the organizations implementing the spotlight initiative in Mzimba district is Communities in Development Activities - COIDA.</p>
<p>Its Executive director Patrick Mwale agrees with the menace of gender-based violence in the district.</p>
<p>"These cases are quite rampant we have seen increased numbers of gender-based violence cases this year and last year.</p>
<p>" We've seen that most men seem to either have no knowledge of the law or either deliberately break the law whatever the case most men are freely committing these crimes," said Mwale.</p>
<p>Mwale says COIDA's interventions in the spotlight initiative aims to address discrepancies in data collection between various stakeholders championing the fight against GBV in the district.</p>
<p>"We have noticed that data collection is a challenge where figures on GBV cases at stakeholders like the police, the social welfare department, and other NGOs do not talk to each other," says Mwale.</p>
<p>He says COIDA is currently carrying out interventions that will ensure harmonization of such data.</p>
<p>"We are working with the police and other stakeholders in ensuring that we implement harmonized data collection tools in Mzimba," said Mwale.</p>
<p>This will paint a clear picture of the magnitude of such offenses.</p>
<p>Apart from this, the organization is involved in facilitating mobile court sessions where the court sits in areas where a case of a gender-based violence offense is held where it occurred.</p>
<p>"This is done to ensure that communities appreciate the various forms of gender-based violence and applicable punishments meted out by the courts.</p>
<p>"In so doing other people may learn and refrain from committing similar offenses," said Mwale.</p>
<p>However, prosecution of cases related to violence against women and girls is not easy according to Mwale.</p>
<p>He says this is due to gaps among police officers who do not have ample knowledge of child and gender-related laws.</p>
<p>"In our program, the police are critical because every case that they bring to court has to have a specific charge relevant to the offense one has committed so if the police are not conversant with these laws they end up charging a person with a case which eventually affects the effectiveness of the court in determining the relevant punishment of the offender," said Mwale.</p>
<p>Mzimba district gender officer Japheth Chirwa concurs with Mwale saying this is a minus in prosecution of cases where women or girls have been violated.</p>
<p>"Basically there is a great impact because of existing gaps on gender-related laws, you find that when the police execute their duties they don't put into consideration gender and child-related laws mainly our police rely on the penal code, while we work based on gender-related laws so it becomes a challenge when they take the cases to court," says Chirwa.</p>
<p>Mzimba police officer in charge Deputy commissioner of police Stain Chaima emphasizes the need for the men in uniform to be conversant with child and gender-related laws for them to ensure that perpetrators are given stiffer punishments in court.</p>
<p>"Issues concerning gender-based violence are rampant hence the need for our officers to be conversant with gender-related laws, this will help our officers investigate offenses properly that when the cases are brought to a court of law perpetrators must be given stiffer punishments," said Chaima.</p>
<p>Mercy Safalawo, Director of Gender Affairs Department in the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare shares a similar view.</p>
<p>Safalawo says negative mindsets towards the rights of women and girls remain a challenge in the country</p>
<p>She says government with the help of other stakeholders like non-state actors will ensure that people understand that men and women are equal and that violence against women and girls is unacceptable.</p>
<p>Such sentiments are shared by the UN Resident Coordinator Maria Jose Torres.</p>
<p>Torres says the Spotlight Initiative addresses violence against women and girls from every possible angle and works to ensure that there are better laws and policies to aid key stakeholders tackle all forms of violence.</p>
<p>She says the Initiative is also working with the National Statistical Office to harmonize data collection on sexual and gender-based violence, and harmful practices.</p>
<p>"This will improve coherence, coordination, and effectiveness of efforts fighting sexual and gender-based violence, and harmful practices among different actors," says UN Resident Coordinator Maria Jose Torres.</p>
<p>Through the Spotlight Initiative in partnerships with other stakeholders, ps of women and girls are being transformed in the six targeted districts.</p>
<p>According to Torres in 2020 alone, the program supported close to 20,000 vulnerable women and girls to receive quality and essential services to support their recovery from violence and protect their sexual and reproductive health and rights.</p>
<p>"Based on community feedback, some of the program’s interventions are expected to be scaled up across all Traditional Authorities within the targeted districts," said Torres.</p>
<p>In addition to enabling a holistic approach to ending violence against women and girls, the Spotlight Initiative promotes Agenda 2030’s guiding principle of “leaving no one behind” and build on the momentum of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/39caac1103b5a375784200f85bd017c6_XL.jpg" alt="COIDA; Eradicating GBV in Mzimba" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>In Malaŵi, one in every three women between the age of 15 to 49 experiences sexual or physical violence at one time or the other, according to the National statistical office.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>The violence ranges from women and girls being defiled, raped, or forced into early marriages by their immediate biological parents.</p>
<p>Mzimba district in the northern province of Malawi has not been spared from such malpractice.</p>
<p>In the district, women play second fiddle to men due to the Ngoni patrilineal culture.</p>
<p>According to the district social welfare office in Mzimba south, the district has seen a 100% surge in child marriages where most have been arranged by parents for material gains.</p>
<p>In 2019 for instance the district registered 280 early marriages and in 2020 over 500 marriages were recorded.</p>
<p>However, with the spotlight initiative being implemented in the district there is light at the end of the tunnel.</p>
<p>The spotlight initiative is a program that focuses on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls being supported by UNDP with finances from the European Union.</p>
<p>One of the organizations implementing the spotlight initiative in Mzimba district is Communities in Development Activities - COIDA.</p>
<p>Its Executive director Patrick Mwale agrees with the menace of gender-based violence in the district.</p>
<p>"These cases are quite rampant we have seen increased numbers of gender-based violence cases this year and last year.</p>
<p>" We've seen that most men seem to either have no knowledge of the law or either deliberately break the law whatever the case most men are freely committing these crimes," said Mwale.</p>
<p>Mwale says COIDA's interventions in the spotlight initiative aims to address discrepancies in data collection between various stakeholders championing the fight against GBV in the district.</p>
<p>"We have noticed that data collection is a challenge where figures on GBV cases at stakeholders like the police, the social welfare department, and other NGOs do not talk to each other," says Mwale.</p>
<p>He says COIDA is currently carrying out interventions that will ensure harmonization of such data.</p>
<p>"We are working with the police and other stakeholders in ensuring that we implement harmonized data collection tools in Mzimba," said Mwale.</p>
<p>This will paint a clear picture of the magnitude of such offenses.</p>
<p>Apart from this, the organization is involved in facilitating mobile court sessions where the court sits in areas where a case of a gender-based violence offense is held where it occurred.</p>
<p>"This is done to ensure that communities appreciate the various forms of gender-based violence and applicable punishments meted out by the courts.</p>
<p>"In so doing other people may learn and refrain from committing similar offenses," said Mwale.</p>
<p>However, prosecution of cases related to violence against women and girls is not easy according to Mwale.</p>
<p>He says this is due to gaps among police officers who do not have ample knowledge of child and gender-related laws.</p>
<p>"In our program, the police are critical because every case that they bring to court has to have a specific charge relevant to the offense one has committed so if the police are not conversant with these laws they end up charging a person with a case which eventually affects the effectiveness of the court in determining the relevant punishment of the offender," said Mwale.</p>
<p>Mzimba district gender officer Japheth Chirwa concurs with Mwale saying this is a minus in prosecution of cases where women or girls have been violated.</p>
<p>"Basically there is a great impact because of existing gaps on gender-related laws, you find that when the police execute their duties they don't put into consideration gender and child-related laws mainly our police rely on the penal code, while we work based on gender-related laws so it becomes a challenge when they take the cases to court," says Chirwa.</p>
<p>Mzimba police officer in charge Deputy commissioner of police Stain Chaima emphasizes the need for the men in uniform to be conversant with child and gender-related laws for them to ensure that perpetrators are given stiffer punishments in court.</p>
<p>"Issues concerning gender-based violence are rampant hence the need for our officers to be conversant with gender-related laws, this will help our officers investigate offenses properly that when the cases are brought to a court of law perpetrators must be given stiffer punishments," said Chaima.</p>
<p>Mercy Safalawo, Director of Gender Affairs Department in the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare shares a similar view.</p>
<p>Safalawo says negative mindsets towards the rights of women and girls remain a challenge in the country</p>
<p>She says government with the help of other stakeholders like non-state actors will ensure that people understand that men and women are equal and that violence against women and girls is unacceptable.</p>
<p>Such sentiments are shared by the UN Resident Coordinator Maria Jose Torres.</p>
<p>Torres says the Spotlight Initiative addresses violence against women and girls from every possible angle and works to ensure that there are better laws and policies to aid key stakeholders tackle all forms of violence.</p>
<p>She says the Initiative is also working with the National Statistical Office to harmonize data collection on sexual and gender-based violence, and harmful practices.</p>
<p>"This will improve coherence, coordination, and effectiveness of efforts fighting sexual and gender-based violence, and harmful practices among different actors," says UN Resident Coordinator Maria Jose Torres.</p>
<p>Through the Spotlight Initiative in partnerships with other stakeholders, ps of women and girls are being transformed in the six targeted districts.</p>
<p>According to Torres in 2020 alone, the program supported close to 20,000 vulnerable women and girls to receive quality and essential services to support their recovery from violence and protect their sexual and reproductive health and rights.</p>
<p>"Based on community feedback, some of the program’s interventions are expected to be scaled up across all Traditional Authorities within the targeted districts," said Torres.</p>
<p>In addition to enabling a holistic approach to ending violence against women and girls, the Spotlight Initiative promotes Agenda 2030’s guiding principle of “leaving no one behind” and build on the momentum of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment.</p></div>Govt Blamed on Bushiri’s Daughter Flight Blockage2021-02-24T18:42:06+00:002021-02-24T18:42:06+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3122-govt-blamed-on-bushiri-s-daughter-flight-blockageSteve Kalungwenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/d534d21d761285b5db6256b489d78461_XL.jpg" alt="Mkwezalamba" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO-CCR) has condemned government for its unexplained decision to bar Prophet Shepard Bushiri's daughter from traveling abroad for specialized medical attention as recommended by local doctors.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">In a press statement released Wednesday, Robert Mkwezalamba, Chairperson for Human Rights Consultative Committee whose organization is a founding member of NGO-CCR says the action was a violation of child rights as read in the United Nations Convention on the right of a child and the African Charter on the rights of a child which Malawi is a signatory.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We find the action unjustifiable since the child is not answering any case here in Malawi, and that as a Malawian she has a right to seek medical attention abroad", says Mkwezalamba.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Desmond Mhango, NGO-CCR chairperson says as an alternative government should have accorded the sick child all the necessary care within Malawi similar to what her parents would have loved.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"The daughter was in company of his aunt and grandmother not Bushiri who is answering charges back home", said Mhango.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On 19 February the police prevented Bushiri's daughter from leaving Kamuzu International Airport for Kenya in a chartered plane without giving reasons for the action.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/d534d21d761285b5db6256b489d78461_XL.jpg" alt="Mkwezalamba" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO-CCR) has condemned government for its unexplained decision to bar Prophet Shepard Bushiri's daughter from traveling abroad for specialized medical attention as recommended by local doctors.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">In a press statement released Wednesday, Robert Mkwezalamba, Chairperson for Human Rights Consultative Committee whose organization is a founding member of NGO-CCR says the action was a violation of child rights as read in the United Nations Convention on the right of a child and the African Charter on the rights of a child which Malawi is a signatory.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We find the action unjustifiable since the child is not answering any case here in Malawi, and that as a Malawian she has a right to seek medical attention abroad", says Mkwezalamba.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Desmond Mhango, NGO-CCR chairperson says as an alternative government should have accorded the sick child all the necessary care within Malawi similar to what her parents would have loved.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"The daughter was in company of his aunt and grandmother not Bushiri who is answering charges back home", said Mhango.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On 19 February the police prevented Bushiri's daughter from leaving Kamuzu International Airport for Kenya in a chartered plane without giving reasons for the action.</p></div>Reunion Insurance Company Decries Low Insurance Penetration2021-02-24T18:21:55+00:002021-02-24T18:21:55+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3121-reunion-insurance-company-decries-low-insurance-penetrationAlfred Gutanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/5fe879c200d99f82df5206e790210405_XL.jpg" alt="The company says a lot needs to be done" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Reunion Insurance Company has decried low insurance penetration in the country.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">The Company’s Technical Manager Lawrence Mtambalika says insurance penetration is currently at 3 percent.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“The insurance association and individual companies have a role to play in coaxing communities to know the benefits of insurance and everything else that goes with it,” said Mtambalika. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On business, Mtambalika said that “the pace is not the same as it used to be due to effects of Covid-19 which have affected households, communities but also at national level.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He further disclosed that they will bring two or three new products on the market soon.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, the company has constructed four brick billboards at Chileka Police Station, Chileka Airport, GDC Police Unit and Mdeka Police unit, to the tune of over K3 million kwacha.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chileka Police Station Officer Superintendent Macdonald Kachaje said “we are like a model; it is a very beautiful billboard. For the company to spend such huge resources it demands commitment.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kachaje however called for more support citing their insufficient office space saying the situation is forcing them to work on shifts.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/5fe879c200d99f82df5206e790210405_XL.jpg" alt="The company says a lot needs to be done" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Reunion Insurance Company has decried low insurance penetration in the country.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Company’s Technical Manager Lawrence Mtambalika says insurance penetration is currently at 3 percent.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“The insurance association and individual companies have a role to play in coaxing communities to know the benefits of insurance and everything else that goes with it,” said Mtambalika. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On business, Mtambalika said that “the pace is not the same as it used to be due to effects of Covid-19 which have affected households, communities but also at national level.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He further disclosed that they will bring two or three new products on the market soon.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, the company has constructed four brick billboards at Chileka Police Station, Chileka Airport, GDC Police Unit and Mdeka Police unit, to the tune of over K3 million kwacha.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chileka Police Station Officer Superintendent Macdonald Kachaje said “we are like a model; it is a very beautiful billboard. For the company to spend such huge resources it demands commitment.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kachaje however called for more support citing their insufficient office space saying the situation is forcing them to work on shifts.</p></div>FAW Destroy 368, 000 Ha of Maize2021-02-24T18:06:19+00:002021-02-24T18:06:19+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3120-faw-destroy-368-000-ha-of-maizeHastings Jimaninyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/0fb46096d62a1ea606c07aea5c974cec_XL.jpg" alt="The worm has been attributed to climate change" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>As has been the case with the past three consecutive farming seasons in South and Central African countries, this farming season Fall Armyworm (FAW) have also affected maize crop within the region.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">For example in Malawi, spokesperson for the country’s Ministry of Agriculture Gracian Lungu said at least 368, 000 hectares of maize have been affected by fall army worms raising fears of poor harvests to over 700, 000 families across the country.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Lungu said the worst hit districts are Mzimba North and Rumphi in the north, Salima, Nkhotakota and Ntchisi in the centre and in the south the worms have affected Machinga, Mangochi, Balaka, Neno, Mulanje, Thyolo, Chikwawa and Nsanje.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“So far the ministry has distributed 16, 000 litres of deltamethylin, the chemical that kills fall army worms to all Agricultural Development Divisions across the country,” said Lungu.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In Mulanje, Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources at Mulanje district council Yaz Nyirenda told Zodiak Online that most farmers are killing the worms using physical, indigenous and cultural methods.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Apart from fall army worms that have affected 16, 961 hectares of maize here in Mulanje, dry spell has also affected 21, 000 hectares of maize and this has affected 60, 000 farm families,” he said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">One of the affected farmers Janet Chadzolokera from Makoloma village in Mulanje told said that her maize crop has wilted permanently.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Experts attribute both dry spells and fall army worms to climate change.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/0fb46096d62a1ea606c07aea5c974cec_XL.jpg" alt="The worm has been attributed to climate change" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>As has been the case with the past three consecutive farming seasons in South and Central African countries, this farming season Fall Armyworm (FAW) have also affected maize crop within the region.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">For example in Malawi, spokesperson for the country’s Ministry of Agriculture Gracian Lungu said at least 368, 000 hectares of maize have been affected by fall army worms raising fears of poor harvests to over 700, 000 families across the country.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Lungu said the worst hit districts are Mzimba North and Rumphi in the north, Salima, Nkhotakota and Ntchisi in the centre and in the south the worms have affected Machinga, Mangochi, Balaka, Neno, Mulanje, Thyolo, Chikwawa and Nsanje.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“So far the ministry has distributed 16, 000 litres of deltamethylin, the chemical that kills fall army worms to all Agricultural Development Divisions across the country,” said Lungu.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In Mulanje, Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources at Mulanje district council Yaz Nyirenda told Zodiak Online that most farmers are killing the worms using physical, indigenous and cultural methods.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Apart from fall army worms that have affected 16, 961 hectares of maize here in Mulanje, dry spell has also affected 21, 000 hectares of maize and this has affected 60, 000 farm families,” he said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">One of the affected farmers Janet Chadzolokera from Makoloma village in Mulanje told said that her maize crop has wilted permanently.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Experts attribute both dry spells and fall army worms to climate change.</p></div>5 in for Trafficking Forest Produce2021-02-24T17:59:13+00:002021-02-24T17:59:13+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3119-5-in-for-trafficking-forest-produceMoses Masiyenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/a6cc10b270d60e07120c524bef4e58db_XL.jpg" alt="5 in for Trafficking Forest Produce" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Police in Zomba have arrested five people for allegedly being found trafficking forest produce without permit. </strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Eastern Region Police Assistant Public Relations Officer, Tionge Kayenda, says the people tipped officers on night patrol and upon following the tip, they came across a Toyota Dyna Registration Number LA 6368 at Jokala, driven by Sharif Khalillulah.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kayenda says: "We arrested the driver Sharif Khalillulah, 27, and other four suspects Jonathan Twaibu, 40, Patuma Denis, 39, Bernard James, 18 and Alick Matiki, 22 and impounded 54 bags of charcoal without any permit."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The five will appear before court of law on charges of possessing forest produce and trafficking forest produce without permit.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/a6cc10b270d60e07120c524bef4e58db_XL.jpg" alt="5 in for Trafficking Forest Produce" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Police in Zomba have arrested five people for allegedly being found trafficking forest produce without permit. </strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">Eastern Region Police Assistant Public Relations Officer, Tionge Kayenda, says the people tipped officers on night patrol and upon following the tip, they came across a Toyota Dyna Registration Number LA 6368 at Jokala, driven by Sharif Khalillulah.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kayenda says: "We arrested the driver Sharif Khalillulah, 27, and other four suspects Jonathan Twaibu, 40, Patuma Denis, 39, Bernard James, 18 and Alick Matiki, 22 and impounded 54 bags of charcoal without any permit."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The five will appear before court of law on charges of possessing forest produce and trafficking forest produce without permit.</p></div>Mpinganjira Fate March 92021-02-23T18:42:49+00:002021-02-23T18:42:49+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3118-mpinganjira-fate-march-9Alfred Gutanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/f22faa60a999f32e51c965f3ad5fd55a_XL.jpg" alt="Mpinganjira arriving at the court in one of the hearings" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The High Court in Blantyre will deliver ruling on whether Dr. Thomson Mpinganjira has a case to answer or not in an attempted Judges bribery case on March 9, 2021.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">High Court and Supreme Court Registrar Gladys Gondwe confirmed the development to Zodiak Online Tuesday.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“The court is set to deliver ruling on the matter on March 9 at 9 O’clock in the morning. As usual the court is going to convene with the parties and proceed to deliver its determination on whether the accused person has a case to answer or not,” Gondwe said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The court will deliver the ruling in question after parties filed their final submissions of case and no case to answer.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Former Anti-Corruption Bureau Director General Reyneck Matemba earlier told Zodiak Online that he was confident a case had been established against the defendant.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">However, Dr. Mpinganjira’s lawyer Patrice Nkhono argued that his client has no case to answer on the basis of lack of evidence.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Mpinganjira is being charged with attempting to bribe a panel of five judges who presided over the 2019 Presidential election case with the aim of circumventing justice.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/f22faa60a999f32e51c965f3ad5fd55a_XL.jpg" alt="Mpinganjira arriving at the court in one of the hearings" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The High Court in Blantyre will deliver ruling on whether Dr. Thomson Mpinganjira has a case to answer or not in an attempted Judges bribery case on March 9, 2021.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">High Court and Supreme Court Registrar Gladys Gondwe confirmed the development to Zodiak Online Tuesday.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“The court is set to deliver ruling on the matter on March 9 at 9 O’clock in the morning. As usual the court is going to convene with the parties and proceed to deliver its determination on whether the accused person has a case to answer or not,” Gondwe said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The court will deliver the ruling in question after parties filed their final submissions of case and no case to answer.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Former Anti-Corruption Bureau Director General Reyneck Matemba earlier told Zodiak Online that he was confident a case had been established against the defendant.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">However, Dr. Mpinganjira’s lawyer Patrice Nkhono argued that his client has no case to answer on the basis of lack of evidence.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Mpinganjira is being charged with attempting to bribe a panel of five judges who presided over the 2019 Presidential election case with the aim of circumventing justice.</p></div>