By Alexander Tchongwe

Mzimba, December 9, Mana: M’mbelwa District Council Gender Officer, Naomi Mwale has urged men in the district to report cases of injustice they face, emphasizing that breaking the silence was key to addressing Gender Based Violence (GBV) against men. 

She made the remarks on Friday during a mobile awareness campaign which targeted marketplaces and rural communities across Mzimba District.

Mwale highlighted that the campaign aimed to reach areas where GBV cases are most common. 

“This year, we are taking the campaign to rural areas, directly engaging people in their communities. Men, as victims or witnesses, must come forward and speak up. Their silence only protects the perpetrators.

“We want everyone, especially men, to report cases and contribute to building safe and just communities,” she said at Luviri Trading Centre. 

Programme Manager for Coalition for the Empowerment of women and girls (CEWAG), Priscilla Mkwapatila called on men to play a leading role in ending GBV, particularly in areas surrounding construction sites near Jenda Trading Centre where UNIK workers are rehabilitating the M1 Road.

“There have been incidents where some men use the money they earn to exploit young girls and married women. To address this, we have set up Grievance Redress Mechanism Committees in areas like Luviri, Mapanjira, Msegede, and Jenda.

“These committees will help people, including men, to report GBV cases. We also encourage workers on this project to be role models in the community by rejecting such behaviors and speaking out against them,” she said.

Speaking at Emfeni, Research Coordinator for Jenda Police Station Inspector, Adams Namtapa assured the public of the police's support and encouraged men to report GBV cases.

“Men often choose silence when they face violence or witness it. This silence only allows the problem to persist. We have Victim Support Units (VSU) ready to assist anyone, including men. Reporting such cases helps us address the issue and ensures the safety of the entire community,” he said.

Namtapa encouraged men to understand that reporting violence is a step toward justice and not a sign of weakness.

The Mobile awareness campaign, which ran from Monday to Friday, reached multiple markets in Mzimba, aiming to end GBV and empower men to speak out when their rights are violated.