By Tawonga Sesani
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s Association of Women in Media (Awome) led protest against rape and defilement in the cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre.
The protest came against a background of alarming reports of rape and defilement cases in the country.
Awome calls for an affirmative action to deal with rapist and defilers Vehemently.
The grouping protest brought together politician including Malawi Speaker of National Assembly Gotani Hara and Dr Jessie Kabwira, former Salima North-West Constituency lawmaker and among others.
The Speaker Hara told The Maravi Post that her office pledged support to ensure that perpetrators of sexual abuse get the deserved punishment.
Echoing on the same Kabwila pointed out on the need of government to consider much in mental health awareness citing the recent incident indicates that the country has a long way to go with regards to the perception on women and girls.
The women media fraternity made an appeal to men to be on the front in protecting women adding women should be treated as human beings and not sexual instruments.
Awome Chairperson Edith Kambalame furthur called upon the government to reveal punishment imposed on the perpetrators of sexual violence.
“The media is instrumental in not only amplifying voices but also holding duty bearers,” said Kambalame.
The petition in Lilongwe was dropped at civic offices and in Blantyre the petition was dropped at Blantyre City Council.
Lilongwe city council mayor Juliana Kaduya received the petition.
The demonstration we’re held under the theme ‘end sexual violence’
The rape culture has become a widespread problem in SADC, impacting on almost every aspect of life. I hope that our leaders can hear the outcry of the brave women that participated in the peaceful protest today. And join hands to curb this culture.