Elimination of Violence Against Women

National Chairperson of Gender Coordination Network, Ms Emma Kaliya (right) in an interview with Zodiak's Sheila Chimphamba

Panel kicks off campaign against gender violence

The U.S. Embassy hosted a moving panel discussion with personal testimonies from male and female participants on “Challenging Girl Marriages in Malawi: a Call to Men” in Lilongwe on November 25, 2011.  The event commemorated the beginning of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” campaign and built on the global theme – From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World – as well as the 2010 visit to Malawi of American speaker on women’s empowerment, Anthony Porter.

Ambassador Jeanine Jackson and Deputy Chief of Mission Lisa Vickers attended the event, which drew over 35 participants from Malawi’s government, civil society, media, and schools.  The panel included representatives from NGO Gender Network Coalition, Malawi Law Commission, Police Victim Support Unit, Ministry of Gender and Child Development, and Lilongwe Girls Secondary School.  The participants shared several insights concerning the legal and cultural aspects of girl marriages in Malawi.

In her opening remarks, Vickers challenged Malawians to reflect seriously on the negative consequences of gender-based violence.  For example, Malawian adolescent girls are disproportionately vulnerable to HIV infection because of the pervasiveness of early marriage. In the 15 to 19 age group, HIV prevalence is more than four times higher for girls than for boys.  Vickers went on to describe how the U.S. is also striving to eliminate gender-based violence through stronger investigation and prosecution.

The U.S. Embassy is proud to partner with Malawi on the “16 Days” campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10.