YONECO organized a co-design writeshop for a pilot intervention that is aimed at creating peer-moderated, confidential and accessible spaces for University of Malawi (UNIMA) students to openly discuss their experiences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and access referrals to formal services.
The initiative, that is being supported by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), brought together student representatives from UNIMA, officials from Zomba District Council and a representative from the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare among others.
The writeshop focused on how safe spaces could be adapted to the university context, the role and selection of peer moderators, the training modules, and enhancing survivor-centred approaches that respect dignity and confidentiality. In addition, the session mapped referral pathways linking the university’s welfare office, health clinic, counselling unit and external services, including the Police Victim Support Unit (VSU) and YONECO’s toll-free Helpline Services.
Participants emphasized the need to ensure the sustainability of the intervention and explored how the safe space could transition into university structures after the pilot phase to ensure continuity.
