The research, conducted by the Centre for Civil Society Strengthening on gender-sensitive solutions in security and humanitarian response for women and girls project in Mphomha Rumphi revealed that 57 percent of people in the area are not aware implications of the malpractice.

Executive Director for the organization, Viwemi Chavula says this is one of the reasons male dominance continues to affect the fight against cases of gender-based related violence in the area.

``Patriarchy comes right at the beginning, most leaders are men. But once men accept they are able to help change and reverse the situation”, said Chavula.

Rumphi District Gender Officer, Vincent Luhanga concurs with Chavula saying more needs to be done as 46 percent of people in the district are victims of different acts of violence in the district.

Luhanga narrates that, lack of a one-stop center where victims can access help in the districts is also affecting the effective control of the vice.

Said Luhanga, ’’the initiative is there, but we are lacking structures, you know we need to have a proper structure so that all services can be accessed there”.

Chavula further highlighted that some people in rural areas do not have access to information on gender-related issues as organizations shun from far away areas due to the terrain of the district.