By Jones Gadama
Women and child rights activists in Chiradzulu are calling for a revision of some cultural norms and traditions to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the district.
According to Virginia Lozo Nyirenda, Programme Coordinator of the Centre for Alternatives for Victimized Women and Children (CAVWOC), harmful cultural practices such as child marriages and regarding men as natural leaders continue to harm women’s and girls’ rights.
Through the “Local Rights Programme,” CAVWOC has managed to break some cultural barriers to human rights through chiefs and community engagement.
The programme, funded by Action Aid since 2006, has received approximately K2 billion in funding.
Nyirenda highlighted the programme’s success, stating that interventions through the establishment of Legal Resource Centres and mass sensitisation have promoted economic rights among women by 90 percent and education rights for girls by 60 percent in Traditional Authorities Kadewere and Nkalo.
However, Cosmas Kagulo, Police Publicist for Chiradzulu, expressed concern over the increasing number of GBV cases in the district.
According to Kagulo, 28 cases were recorded and resolved in the first quarter of 2025, with most cases emanating from monetary and mistrust issues.
He noted that some cases are underreported, indicating a need for increased awareness and support for victims of GBV.
The statistics presented by Nyirenda demonstrate the positive impact of CAVWOC’s work in promoting women’s and girls’ rights in Chiradzulu.
The establishment of Legal Resource Centres has provided a safe and supportive environment for women and girls to access justice and seek redress for human rights violations.
Mass sensitisation campaigns have also helped raise awareness about the importance of promoting women’s and girls’ rights, contributing to the significant increase in the promotion of economic and education rights.
Despite these successes, the persistence of GBV in Chiradzulu highlights the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of the problem.
Harmful cultural practices and traditions that perpetuate GBV must be challenged and revised to promote a culture of respect and equality for women’s and girls’ rights.
The Chiradzulu police’s efforts to address GBV cases are commendable, but more needs to be done to support victims and prevent further cases.
Increased awareness and support for victims of GBV can help reduce the number of cases and promote a safer and more equitable society.
Revising cultural norms and traditions that perpetuate GBV is crucial to promoting women’s and girls’ rights in Chiradzulu.
CAVWOC’s work through the Local Rights Programme has shown that positive change is possible with the right support and interventions.
Continued efforts are needed to address the root causes of GBV and promote a culture of respect and equality for women’s and girls’ rights.
The community, government, and stakeholders must work together to address GBV and promote women’s and girls’ rights.
By doing so, Chiradzulu can become a safer and more equitable place for women and girls to live and thrive.
The progress made so far is encouraging, and with sustained efforts, the district can achieve even more significant gains in promoting women’s and girls’ rights and reducing GBV cases.