Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has vowed to intensify different activities as the country is in a period of commemorating 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV).

YONECO Executive Director, MacBain Mkandawire, said the organization has lined up a number of activities aimed at sensitizing the masses on issues of GBV.

Mkandawire cited a program called “Tikuchitaponji” which is being aired on the organization’s owned radio station, YFM, which intensifies the talk on GBV issues.

He said: “We are sure that the program will help in addressing matters of GBV and in addition we also have a number of projects for instance the Comprehensive Action for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) which is being implemented in Mulanje district which also has a component of GBV.”

Mkandawire further encouraged people across the country to take a leading role in breaking the silence on GBV issues and report such cases to relevant authorities.

“Let me encourage people to report GBV issues to relevant authorities such as YONECO which gets a lot feedback and a good number of walk in clients in various districts where we are operating,” he said.

YONECO has toll free lines through which people can report on GBV crisis (5600), child helpline (116) and drug and substance abuse (6600).

The 16 days of activism against gender based violence, which was officially launched by the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha on 25 November, will run up to 10 December.