At a time when cases of Gender Based Violence cases are on the rise in Malawi, a Gender Rights grouping has disclosed of plans to start a program meant to engage men on taming the situation down.

The revelations come in the wake of a recent survey by Afro-barometer on the same.

The survey shows that about one in four African women – and even more African men – say wife-beating is sometimes justifiable.

Conducted in 34 African countries including Malawi, the findings of the study revealed that in some countries, up to seven in 10 citizens endorse domestic violence.

In reaction to the findings, Barbara Banda, Chairperson for NGO- Gender Coordination Network said this is alarming saying the study is precisely depicting the actual situation in Malawian setting.

According to Banda, her organisation is intensifying a program aimed at sensitising both men and women on the need to respect women in the society as well as desisting from gender based violence.

‘’ We want to start hearing success stories through the campaigns. Parents have to start feeling the importance both boys and girls the same way because when they are given same opportunities, they will be doing better together,’’.

Banda has since said that they will also be involved in interventions for both and girls programs including youth development and empowerment saying these will go a long way into developing the country without gender disparities.

The 2018 Demographic Health Survey (DHS) highlighted that 41 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 experience either physical or sexual violence. Up to 96 per cent of GBV incidences were perpetrated by men, the survey stated.

Credit: MIJ Online