Salima District has joined the global commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV), held under the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.”
The event began with a vibrant parade from Kamuzu Road to Nsalura Teacher Training College (TTC), drawing large participation from community members, youths, and various stakeholders.
Speaking during the commemoration, District Gender Development Officer Friness Samaliya said Malawi continues to intensify efforts to combat gender based violence, with Salima being among the districts heavily affected.
She noted that the rise of technology has exposed women and girls to online harassment and cyberbullying, making digital safety a critical area of focus.
Samaliya added that the awareness activities aim to empower girls to resist online abuse and encourage men to take an active role in preventing digital and physical forms of GBV.
On her part, Salima Police General Duties Officer, Superintendent Doreen Milanzi, highlighted a positive shift in the district as more men are now coming forward to report GBV cases.
She said this change demonstrates the impact of continued awareness campaigns and expressed hope that the commemoration would further create safe spaces for men to open up.
A Standard 7 learner from Msalura Primary School, Maria Rajab, shared that young girls in many communities face challenges such as bullying and rape, which greatly affect their confidence and well being.
She stressed the importance of educating children about their rights and safety.
Another participant, Issabel Mkandawire, said the event equipped them with essential skills on handling GBV cases, including the importance of reporting incidents to relevant authorities and involving the police.
The commemoration, held at Msalura TTC, attracted a significant number of youths who actively participated in various activities. Key partners supporting the event included the Gender Office, Bridge to Liberty, and Oxfam/WOLREC.
By Alice Kamwanje.
