Girls Activist Youth Organization (GAYO), Programmes Manager for Mchinji, Gilbert Mbwana has singled out presence of culture of silence to be fueling early marriages and Gender Based Violence (GBV) among young girls in the district.
He made the remarks Sunday at the end of a three day community dialogue which was organized by GAYO to understand barriers and support demand creation for Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights (SRHR), HIV services and menstrual health management in Kapondo and Mduwa areas.
“It has been noted with concern through this participatory approach that the problems we think had been solved are hot on ground due to behaviours of some community members who choose to remain silent upon the emergency of causes related to early marriage, and GBV among the adolescents,” Mbwana noted.
He requested the community to work hand in hand with GAYO and other organizations that deal with issues of early marriages and GBV which has negative impact over the growing economy of Malawi.
Group Village Headman (GVH), Chilawa hailed GAYO for its approach which has enlightened them about SRHR and destroyed the culture of silence.
“We have been failing to deal with early marriages and GBV among girls due to culture of silence.
“Girls and women have been the victims of early marriages and GBV but they have chosen to carry the cross in silence,” he said.
Mchinji District Youth Officer, Joseph Manthalu congratulated GAYO for creating rapport which has enabled the communities to come together and discuss issues that affects them.
Chairperson for Chioko Youth Club, Gracian Mwale appealed to government and other non-governmental organizations to protect them from the threats they face after reporting problems that affect them.
“We mostly remain silent whenever we have faced a problem because of threats we receive from the parents and other elders,” he said.
Reported by Amos Chigwa
