There is hope that the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative in Dowa will reduce cases of violence against women and girls in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Nsakambewa.

Speaking to YONECO FM online on the sidelines of a field visit, Community Victim Support Unit (CVSU), child protection worker at TA Nsakambewa Dorias Changa said child marriages, sexual and physical abuses are affecting women and girls in the area.

Changa said there is need for more awareness on issues of violence in Nsakambewa and surrounding villages.

He said women and girls do report on the abuses they encounter and they are assisted accordingly.

Changa also spoke about the cordial relationship that is there between the CVSU, Police, courts, hospital officials and traditional leaders saying it is key in eliminating violence.

He however worried that mobility is one major setback in case follow ups and awareness meetings.

“Mobility is a huge challenge in this area because we have to use bicycles to travel to distant villages.”

“This areas terrain is even worse because we cycle for long, it is really exhausting,” Changa added.

He also feels the need to strengthen by laws in order to hold perpetrators of violence accountable.

The Spotlight Initiative is a new global programme focused on eliminating violence against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices.

Dowa is one of districts where the Spotlight Initiative will be implemented with Nkhata Bay, Mzimba, Ntchisi, Machinga and Nsanje also benefiting.