Gender based violence in Malawi

GBV is widespread in Malawi, fueled by traditional harmful practices. Poverty and illiteracy render people vulnerable to human trafficking.

Enock Fontesi, 17 years, get a new chance at Salvations Armies center for trafficked children. Photo: Håvard Hovdhaugen/NCA
Enock Fontesi, 17 years, get a new chance at Salvations Armies center for trafficked children. Photo: Håvard Hovdhaugen/NCA

Through our partners, we work closely with women, men, youth and religious leaders to raise their awareness to prevent GBV and promote a positive change in personal and institutional relations between genders. We train religious leaders to promote equal rights for all through theological teachings. Consequently, religious leaders stand against human trafficking and violence against people with albinism in campaigns, such as, "End It Now Campaign" by the women ministries of the Adventist church and the Malawi Network Against Trafficking “16 days of Activism against Gender Violence”.

We lobby for the implementation of relevant laws to end GBV, and we were instrumental in passing of the Trafficking in Persons Act. We work closely with CSOs, police, judiciary and social services in order to identify and prosecute perpetrators of GBV and trafficking and offer rehabilitation and reintegration services for the survivors.

Some of our achievements from 2016:

  • The GBV programme reached 9366 people through various campaigns against trafficking women and children.
  • 11,560 Information, Education and Communication materials developed, printed, and distributed along with Trafficking in persons Act.
  • 30 cases of trafficking were reported while 5 were concluded in the courts and 62 trafficked children were rescued.
  • 62 Judges and Magistrates were trained in management of Human Trafficking.
  • 60 Paralegals were trained as volunteers to provide legal advice, and follow up for cases related to GBV