Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has described this year’s theme for 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender Based Violence as very important in eliminating violence in the country.

The remark comes as Malawi joins the rest of the world in observing the annual campaign from November 25 to December 10 under the theme, “Leave no one behind; End Violence against Women and Girls.”

Speaking to YFM, Executive Director of YONECO MacBain Mkandawire, said involvement of both men and women is very crucial if the country is to progress in addressing gender based violence.

“We should also think in terms of how we make sure that women begin to support each other because I think there is very limited support for women to women. Recently we have seen cases of violence by against women and I think it is something we need to look at,” he said.

Mkandawire said that it is also very important to engage the entire community including men and boys as they feel left out thereby becoming perpetrators of violence.

“In line with the theme we should also make sure we engage the boys and men in the fight against gender based violence because we had very interesting stories about boys looking at things very differently therefore their engagement would make a huge difference,” added Mkandawire.

In complementing this years’ theme, YONECO has organized several activities that will raise awareness against gender-based violence in Mulanje district.

The 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender Based Violence was set aside by the United Nations for the Member of States to consolidate and intensify the efforts and initiatives for prevention and eradication of gender based violence.