UNICEF Report Reveals Unreported Violence Cases in Malawi

UNICEF’s statistics indicate that there are more unreported cases of violence against women and children in the country.

UNICEF Malawi’s Chief of Child Protection Afrooz Kaviani Johnson revealed the startling statistics during a five-day training workshop on gender-based crime and violence against children in Dowa

Johnson said UNICEF is acutely concerned and focused on ensuring that every child lives a life free from violence.

He said one in three boys and one in five girls in the country experience emotional violence in childhood.

Johnson then said UNICEF has partnered with Malawi Police Service to train police officers how to manage cases of sexual and gender-based violence.

She said through a new United Nations and European Union initiative called ‘Spotlight’, UNICEF has earmarked over K300 million in 2019 and 2020 for various efforts which include training.

Johnson said the efforts are aimed at preventing violence against women and children and improving the quality of services for child and adult survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

In reaction Malawi Police Service (MPS) Director of Finance and Administration Commissioner Tadius Samveka said he was touched by UNICEF’s sentiments.

Samveka advised officers to stop hiding information about the gravity of gender-based crime and violence against children in the country.

He asked the media to help in exposing such cases for different stakeholders and society to take action.