Authorities in Nsanje have deplored rampant Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases as the district is recording over 200 cases monthly.

 

District Social Welfare Officer Chikumbutso Salifu  Zodiak online Monday, for example his office recorded 276 cases of such nature in March this year.

 

Salifu described the trend as worrisome.

 

"It is a worrisome situation in light of the fact that efforts have been made to reverse the trend," lamented Salifu.

 

According to the Nsanje District Social Welfare Officer, most of the cases being recorded are matrimonial conflicts adding that some are due to parents laxity in caring for their children.

 

"Some perpetrators take advantage of the situation to abuse the children. "The situation is unhealthy because in February this year we registered over 300 cases, "said Salifu.

 

Chikumbutso Salifu also blamed the situation on Covid-19 pandemic.

 

"It was during this period where most of the abuses happened especially on the part of girl child. 

 

"We are just coming from the closure of schools, so we have seen more defilement cases and a rise in pregnancies among the girl child, "said Salifu.

 

He disclosed the development today in Nsanje, on the sidelines of Victim Support Unit (VSU) counselors orientation and refresher, under a Spotlight Initiative aimed at eliminating Gender Based Violence in the district.

 

A Coordinator responsible for Community Policing and Victim Support Services under Nsanje police, Sub-Inspector Rex Mulawu told Zodiak, sexual abuse, economic abuse and psychological and emotional abuse are common forms abuses being recorded.

 

Kachere Progressive Womens Group Executive Director Malango Maganga, one of Spotlight Implementing partners,

believes such abuses can be eliminated by strengthening the capacity of various institutions and structures.

 

" We are implementing the project as a consortium of three organizations namely; Kachere Progressive Women's group, Malawi Law Society and Church and Society under Blantyre synod.

 

"We are among other things accelerating efforts in eliminating GBV in Nsanje. We have structures such as Community VSU's that are working towards eliminating such cases but lack necessary skills for example on available laws governing their operations, " said Maganga.

 

One of the participants, Christina Simenti, a member of mother group for Nyamadzere primary school, described the refresher as critical saying they lacked some skills.

 

"It's an eye opener to me personally. The knowledge we have acquired is crucial if we are to win the fight." Said Simenti.

 

The K60 million project will run for four months.