By Vida Msiyo

Blantyre, December 4, Mana: Poet Maxwell Mnjemu has released a poem titled Not Just a Banner, adding his voice on the campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) as 16 Days of Activism Against GBV continues.

A stanza from the poem, which emphasizes the importance of equality and actionable steps to GBV, reads:
Not just a banner, not just a phrase
Equality calls in a million ways
it whispers in classrooms, factories, in fields
In rights that every person yields.

Mnjemu told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that the poem goes beyond words, calling for concrete actions to address GBV, appealing for collective activism, real and sustainable measures to combat GBV in the country.

“This is not just a poem, it is about interventions we are implementing to mitigate GBV, many people only put GBV in headlines but fail to do activities that prevent it. We need to engage communities, empower survivors and educate people on the importance of equality to achieve real change,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Executive Director for the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC), Emma Kaliya, emphasized the importance of consistent advocacy and hailed use of art as an effective tool in addressing GBV.

“Using art is the best way to reach out to people, unlike speeches that are easily forgotten. Artistic forms like poetry, theatre, drama and music stay with people longer; they spark discussions even after performances,” she said.

Kaliya noted that while the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV are crucial in raising awareness, the fight against GBV requires continuous and sustained efforts throughout the year to create a meaningful impact.

“In real sense, GBV should be tackled throughout the year. If we had resources, it would be ideal to empower communities and advocate for the entire 365 days,” she said.

The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is an annual campaign that calls for global action to end violence against women and girls.

The campaign runs from November 25 to December 10.