By Horace Tebulo
DEDZA-(MaraviPost)-Art and Global Health (ARTGLO) has singled out the need for inclusion of minority groups in an effort to end discrimination against the vulnerable group.
ARTGLO Executive Director Rodgers Phiri says discrimination and social exclusion is as a result of knowledge gap on their rights hence the need to equip key duty bearers on how they can accommodate them.
He was speaking in Dedza district on the sidelines of a three day Umunthu Inclusion Society orientation of primary justice actors aimed at opening up their areas of work to include all groups of people.
“We have established that discrimination against Lesbians Gays Bisexual Transgender and Intersex people (LGBT) and other minority groups has hugely affected social development of the country, so we wanted the officers from the police, magistrate courts as well as faith leaders to understand the plight of minority groups so that they can create room for their protection,” says Phiri.
He added that discrimination against them continues hindering the rights of minority groups in the country hence the need for concerted efforts in promoting prevention of different forms of violence affecting their livelihoods.
Speaking after attending the training, Second Magistrate Richard Kampaliro from the Judiciary department described the training as an eye opener describing is as a catalyst in ensuring that minority groups are given the needed support.
Kampaliro however said some of the forms of violence are not reported hence challenging the vulnerable group to open up and start reporting any forms to relevant stakeholders for possible action.
“This training has come at the right time as it has given us the opportunity to understand different forms of violence affecting their livelihoods. I therefore encourage them to be open to us for possible action,” said Kampaliro.
ARTGLO is implementing the Umunthu Inclusive Society project in Dedza, Chikwawa, Mchinji, Nkhotakota, Zomba, Phalombe and Thyolo districts.
