The Maravi Post

BLANTYRE—Dr. Mary Shaba, Principal Secretary in the ministry of gender, children and social welfare, says gender based violence against girls remains a major challenge for Malawi.

But still,  she said, the government is doing everything possible to promote gender equality and safeguard the welfare of girls and women.

“Girls are being abused and defiled by their fathers and uncles as a result they drop out of school. Girls across the country are subjected to various acts of violence and they are always looked down up,” said Shaba.

She said gender based violence exist at a level that requires special acknowledgement, observing that social and cultural factors affect gender-based violence in Malawi.

“Both men and women are victims of gender based violence although women bear the brunt of the practice. Men abuse women through battery, use of abusive language, not providing some requirements and overworking them. There are cultural practices and beliefs that perpetuate gender-based violence,” she added.
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(c)  The Maravi Post 2013

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