Nsanje, December 31: Information gaps on Gender related laws among the judiciary junior staff is said to be compromising the delivery of justice in the country.
Nsanje Second Grade Magistrate George Chimombo made the observation in an interface meeting with the Service Providers and Community leaders jointly organized by Umunthu Foundation and Human Development Services in the area of Traditional Authority Ndamera in Nsanje district.
Magistrate Chimombo noted that judiciary junior staff workers such as Court Clerks who receive referrals on gender based violence related cases from the police fail to provide the needed support or attention to the aggrieved parties due to lack of knowledge.
“For the staff to handle issues of gender based violence, need to be equipped with the necessary information on laws. There is a need for state and non state actors to provide capacity building on gender related laws and policies as the current situation leaves a lot to be desired,” he noted.
Umunthu Foundation Executive Director David Odali said it has been an obligation of the two organizations to conduct interface meetings to create awareness among the communities on gender related laws.
Odali said since the organizations started their project in the area of Traditional Authority Ndamera, their programs have had huge impact as the communities are able to know the effects of gender based violence, where they can report such issues and access to remedies.
“Firstly, let me acknowledge that gender based violence remains a critical challenge in Nsanje and Malawi as a whole. Secondly, I should recommend the people in the area for their active participation on activities that are aiming at curbing the vice in Nsanje district particularly Traditional Authority Ndamera,” said Odali.
The interface meeting drew public service providers from police, health, judiciary, and community leaders such as chiefs and Community Action Groups (CAG).
The two NGOs under NGO Gender Coordinating Network banner are implementing a five year Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Project with funding from Royal Norwegian Embassy.
In Nsanje district, the project is been implemented in the area of Chief Ndamera.
Some notable gender based violence said to be rampant in the district include forced marriages, defilement, rape and wife battering.
