By Mwai Kumanda

Lilongwe, December 22, Mana: Shape Our Future Foundation (SOFF) has called on Community Leaders to take a leading role in fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV) and early marriages in their areas.

Education Programmes Coordinator for SOFF, Lawrence Kayesa made the call Friday during the Gender Sensitization meeting in Traditional Authority Masula and Chiseka in Lilongwe.

Kayesa said as SOFF they are committed to ending GBV adding there is a need for Community Leaders to work hand in hand with the government saying ending GBV is a responsibility of everyone.

“During our discussions in both areas, Community Leaders are saying that the problem of early child marriages and GBV is still rampant and there is a need for more interventions to curb the malpractice.

“Earlier this year, Lilongwe was one of the districts with a high rate of GBV and child marriage cases, come next year, we don’t want the same story. That is why we are here with all these people from different groups to discuss the way forward on what we can do to end GBV and child marriages,” he said.

Lilongwe District Health Officer Theresa Hunga said the early child pregnancy rate is a serious problem in the district as they record 30 to 40 cases per month; a situation she said is worrisome.

SOFF is also operating in three districts namely:  Lilongwe, Dowa and Nkhotakota.

SOFF is a non-governmental organization, which was registered in 2020, and the purpose of the organization is to reach out to village girls by giving them an opportunity for education.