The Vice President of Malawi, Saulos Chilima, presided over the launch of Ending Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Campaign at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
YONECO participated in a panel discussion as well as displayed on a pavilion some of the major interventions which the organization implements in Malawi. YONECO showcased how the institution uses ICT platforms in prevention of Gender Based Violence (GBV) as well as how the Tithandizane Helpline Service operates as a source of information and a referral agent for GBV cases. Apart from Tithandizane Helpline Service’s GBV Crisis Line, YONECO has Places of Safety for survivors of GBV and child abuse.
In his remarks after the launch, the Executive Director for YONECO, MacBain Mkandawire, described the launch of the EVAWG Campaign as a right direction which Malawi has taken. In his remarks, Mkandawire stated that there is a need to address issues that negatively impact on socioeconomic development of women and girls Malawi. Mkandawire further said that YONECO’s Toll-free GBV crisis line registers a lot of GBV cases and called this as a manifestation of how big the problem is in the country. “As a country, we need to look at strengthening community systems to effectively respond to cases of GBV as well as raise awareness about its dangers” said Mkandawire.
In his speech, the Vice President also stated that the prevalence rate of violence against women and girls in Malawi is shockingly high hence the need to stop the malpractice.
The launch event was organized by Oxfam and it attracted various institutions and individuals who are working towards the promotion of girls and women’s rights.
