CHIKWAWA-(MaraviPost)-Amref Health Africa, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) focusing on providing primary health care in communities has trained community leaders in Chikwawa on how they can manage and report Gender based violence (GBV) cases.

Speaking on the sidelines of a training held this week in Chikwawa,District project assistant for Amref Health Africa, Darkson Matchado said the training targeted influential leaders in the district to help influence adherence to Covd-19 preventive guidelines.

He added that the Covid-19 pandemic has increased vulnerability for women and children to GBV and rape hence it is paramount for community leaders to be alert

He said, “The corona virus pandemic has increased women and girls vulnerability to Gender Based Violence that this is the case as schools have been closed. Students and pupils have been in communities.

“Men also have been spending much time at home. All these has resulted to GBV cases to be on a rise,” said Matchado calling upon the community leaders to be gate keepers.

Inspector Kingsley Mvuthe Chikwawa Community Policing Cordinator , corroborated Matchado’s remarks saying the police in the district has of late registered an increase in GBV cases.

Judith Pangani, Gender specialist who facilitated the training challenged community leaders in the District to help in fostering behavioral change towards gender based violence.

Senior Group Khungubwe hailed the training as an eye opener saying it shall go a long way in helping him influence behavioral change among his subjects.

Amref Health Africa is implementing a one year Covid-19 response project which seeks to contribute in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus through risk communication and community engagement with financial assistance from Global Affairs Canada(GAC).