- World Vision Malawi has appealed to stakeholders, policy makers and Malawians at large to keep on discussing issues related to gender-based violence (GBV) so as to initiate lasting solutions to the malpractice.
This is according to Pennia Mavedzenge who is Business Development and Grants Management Director for World Vision Malawi who was speaking on Friday following the end of 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
Mavedzenge said the fact that gender based violence still remain one of the issues affecting the well being of women and children, Malawians need to remain active and take an action by reporting to relevant authorities all perpetrators of such violence.
She said people should always remember that the 16 days of activism against gender based violence are just a wake up call to fighting the malpractice and that people should not relax in fighting after the 16 days.
Mavedzenge added that as an organization, World Vision Malawi will not pay a blind eye where violence is taking place claiming it wants to create a conducive environment for Malawian women and children.
“Gender based violence is still an issue in our communities, in our families and it’s affecting the well being of women and children, it’s affecting the health of families. So as an organization, we still need to be the voice of children and women who can not speak out.
“These issues in most cases are swept under the carpet, they are not addressed, so we want to continue to position ourselves to be the voice of the voiceless to ensure that there is an environment that caters for everyone and as World Vision Malawi, we will make sure that everyone is enjoying life in it’s fullness,
The Development and Grants Management Director further added that everyone should be willing to become change manager by speaking boldly about gender based violence and ensure that there is safe families and safe environment where everyone is thriving.
As part of the 16 days of activism, World Vision has held different awareness campaigns across the country including ‘It Takes Malawi to End Child Marriage Campaign’ which seeks to reduce cases of child marriage by 20 percent.
In addition, the organisation is also implementing the adolescent girls and young women project in Mangochi, Mulanje, Thyolo and Lilongwe to reduce the prevalence of HIV and promote entrepreneurship among young women.
