Authorities in Dowa have bemoaned rising cases of rape and defilement in Kongwe forest reserve urging for security intervention in the forest reserve.

Dowa social welfare Officer, Jonathan Bonongwe says a total of four cases where women and girls have been sexually assaulted in the forest making traveling a risk there more especially for women and girls.

Meanwhile Dowa police spokesperson, Gladson M’bumpha agrees on the situation a suspect was recently arrested and his case is in court.

Girls Empowerment Network, GENET programs Coordinator, Twambilire Kayuni,says GENET is drilling female mentors to encourage girls and women to be reporting defilement and rape.

This is being done through a project called ‘’Girls Action to end violence against girls and women’’ with funding from EU and the UN.