By Wellington Sibale

Neno, May 2, Mana: The Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has urged Neno District Council to champion National Male Engagement Strategy (NMES) and Public Service Workplace Anti-sexual Harrassment policy to end gender based violence.

Principle Gender and Development Officer in the ministry, Japhet Chirwa made the call on Tuesday during a Technical Working Group meeting on National Male Engagement Strategy on Gender Equality, GBV, SRHR and HIV with stakeholders in the district.

Chirwa said the Ministry decided to come up with the strategy to guide implementation of various interventions.

He added that there has been a gap in terms of male engagement, especially about interventions aimed at advancing gender equality and end gender based violence. 

“This male engagement strategy will ensure that both boys and girls, men and women are part and parcel of efforts that are targeted on ending gender based violence,” said Chirwa, observing that women was the only population  targeted when tackling issues of gender related abuses leaving out males hence the strategy to address the gap.

“We would like to enhance awareness on already existing gender related roles and policies and at the same time we would like to capacitate existing structures in the districts especially tackling the community level that they should include boys and men on issues of Gender Based Violence.” He added.

Neno District Council's Director of Planning and Development, Charles Lomoni, said that the strategy was important

“Male Engagement Strategy will help in bringing both men and women together to work as one which will in turn bring about development," Lomoni said.

The 2023-2030 NMES aims at promoting male involvement in ending GBV, reducing HIV and participating in SRHR.