Stakeholders in Rumphi District have called for stronger collaboration among key institutions to ensure that victims of gender-based violence (GBV) access justice and support.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Rumphi on Thursday, Director of Paralegal Institute Services, Clifford Msiska, said that communities must work together to fight GBV.
Msiska said many victims cannot afford lawyers, which makes it difficult for some GBV cases to reach the courts.
He further disclosed that the institution plans to increase awareness about the law and support GBV victims in the communities with support from the European Union (EU) under Chilungamo Project Two.
“We are going to appoint community-based paralegals here in Rumphi where GBV victims will be able to report within their respective communities”, said Msiska.
Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) District Manager, George Mlowoka Mbizi, said he is optimistic that the project will help identify the gaps and solutions.
Records at Rumphi District Council Gender Office indicate that a total of 489 cases were reported from January to July, 2026.
Out of these, 321 are women, while 168 are males, representing about 66 and 34 percent, respectively.
By Tamara Chihana, MANA
