Malawians Petition President Over Violence Against Women

NGO Gender Coordination Network, Human Rights Defenders Coalition HRDC, Members of parliament and women aspiring councillors have petitioned president professor Arthur peter Mutharika to arrest and prosecute people who abuse women in Mangochi district.

Presenting the petition to representative of the district commissioner chairperson of HRDC Timothy Mtambo said it is very painful that women are being abused in a country which has gender laws that protect them from any abuse.

Speaking to the media after presenting the petition chairperson of NGO Gender Coordination Network Barbara Banda said they want to see the perpetrators of such acts behind bars.

Banda said they expect tangible actions from all concerned stakeholders in the fight against violence.

Speaking after receiving the petition principal administration officer at Mangochi district council commended the petitioners for conducting a peaceful march against violence on women.

The solidarity march was organized by 50:50 Campaign Management Agency under the project of Hello Mangochi female councilor.

Meanwhile, female shadow Councillors in Mangochi have taken to task police on political violence that happened in the district.

They questioned the police during an interface meeting organized by 50:50 campaign management agency aimed at explaining the challenges they face and finding solutions.

Speaking at the meeting one of the aspiring Councillors Rashida Kapichira queried the police on what they have done on the political violence that occurred in the district few months ago.

Kapichira challenged police officers to be vigilant and take serious action on people who fight supporters of other political parties.

She said if police does not change the way they handle issues, violence will not stop hence affecting women during campaign period.

However, Kapichira commended 50:50 Management Agency for organizing the meeting as the female shadow councillors aired out their concerns on the torture and intimidation they face.

Responding, Efford Kamphonje the representative of Mangochi police officer in charge asked the female shadow councillors to remove the fears saying police in the district is doing everything possible to arrest anyone inciting violence.

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