Police in Eastern Region of Malawi have registered an increase of defilement cases this year as compared to last year.

Commissioner of Police in the region Martha Suwedi, disclosed this in Zomba during the Eastern Region Women Network BASAD Operation that was aimed at sensitizing people on gender based violence issues.

Suwedi said 80 percent of the defilement cases were registered in Mangochi district.

“I believe this is the case because of their cultural practices whereby the youths are taught things that are not for their age group.”

“Once they come out from the initiation camps they want to practice what they learned,” she explained.

The event was part of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender Based Violence which will commence from 25 November to 10 December, 2017.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, is a global campaign to end violence against women.