By Aquino Munthewe,

Mwanza, December 8, Mana: People in Mwanza have launched commemoration of 16 days of activism against gender based violence (GBV) with District Commissioner (DC) Martha Sineta calling on people in the district to unite in the fight against all forms GBV.

Sineta made the call on Thursday at Group Village Head (GVH) Thambala in Inkosi Kanduku Maseko’s area and added that GBV can stop if people take undivided stand.

“It is possible to combat GBV if we could put all efforts together in sensitizing communities on the negative effects of the vice on one’s life. The problem is too huge to be left in the hands of one stakeholder,” said Sineta and further encouraged victims of GBV, whether male or female, to report any form of violence to police and other relevant authorities.

Mwanza District Council Chairperson Councilor Bellon Kasambwe said community leaders should play significant roles by raising awareness on forms of GBV and where to report them.

He also commended the 16 days of activism against GBV launch, saying it came at the right time when the district recorded a lot of GBV, especially with men abandoning their spouses without support in the disguise of celebrating Christmas and New Year festivities.

“Let me call upon stakeholders to intensify awareness on negative effects of GBV and its criminal aspect even after the 16 days’ commemoration to end GBV in the district,” said Kasambwe.

Mwanza District Gender Officer If Masango urged the community members, including those in work places, to be watchdogs of each other on GBV, saying this is the only way to stop GBV.

“The way you value yourself will also determine how you value other people. This is how we can end GBV,” added Masango.

GVH Kanduku pledged he would carry out series of sensitization meetings to encourage her subjects to report GBV to relevant authorities for proper action.

“I have already been working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that there are no cultural norms that promote GBV in my area,” said GVH Kanduku.

This year’s commemoration runs from November 25 to December 10 under the theme: 'Invest to prevent violence against women and girls’.

Mwanza commemoration of 16 days of activism against GBV has received support from Campaign for Female Education, Malawi Red Cross Society, Wolrec, Cadecom, CONCERN Worldwide, OBOL and the World Vision Malawi.