Research by Oxfam Malawi and the Centre for Alternatives for Victimised Women and Children (CAVWOC) has revealed that mobile courts have reduced cases of gender based violence and sexual abuse among women and girls in rural communities.
Among others, the research has also disclosed that mobile courts have improved access to justice for the people in remote areas.
Oxfam country Director, Lingalireni Mihowa, said mobile courts have played a big role in helping women and girls access justice in rural areas as well as creating a safe environment for girls and other vulnerable children.
Mihowa said close to 74 cases were completed in 35 mobile courts and 14 convictions have been successfully taken based on the cases that were presented on sexual and gender based violence.
“So we have presented the findings and we want to make sure that we work on an advocacy strategy that is going to shift the allocation of resources from the upper levels to the lower levels where the citizens are,” Mihowa said.
High Court Judge, Justice Jean Kayira, for the Family and Probe Division, bemoaned low funding for mobile courts, saying for years these services have been relying on partners.
Traditional Authority Nazombe from Phalombe District commended Oxfam for coming up with the initiative, which has helped to curb gender-based violence.
By Mike Kalumbi
