BY: Nandie Magomelo
Dedza, November 18, Mana: Dedza Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been urged to contribute resources towards the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence event scheduled for November 28 this year in the district.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, the district’s CSOs Chairperson, Osborne Nyirongo, who is Project Coordinator for Eagles Relief, emphasized to the Malawi News Agency (MANA) that CSOs have a duty to lend a hand towards resource mobilization in terms of financial aid as well as human resource.
“CSOs should set aside funds for such events to honor their obligation to the community, because that is where we work and events like these are an opportunity to contribute resources towards our shared goal of reducing incidents of gender based violence,” said Nyirongo.
He further called on the CSOs to take part in such events, as they are extremely important in protecting all citizens through mindset and behavior change.
“It is crucial that we spread awareness about this issue in order to sensitize the public on the damage GBV causes and prevent these incidents from happening altogether,” he stated.
According to Dedza District Council’s Gender and Development Officer, Lisnet Kathyole, there are several partners that have already pledged resources including PA systems, transport, allowances and other partners continue to pick items they will support from the budget pegged at over MK6 million.
“It is important that CSOs assist in carrying out this event. That community outreach, helps in quickly spreading awareness to a large group of people at the same time,” Kathyole asserted.
The 16 Days Against GBV is a global event commemorated annually from November 25th to December 10th.
In Dedza, the event will be commemorated under the theme ‘Unite to end violence against women and girls in Malawi’ and will be spiced by several activities including a football match involving Dedza Dynamo.
