President Lazarus Chakwera has described the increase in cases of defilement and rape in the country as a symptom of a disease called moral bankruptcy.

Chakwera said this during the presentation of the National Plan of Action Against Rape and Defilement at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

“The situation the country is in currently is a symptom of a disease known as moral bankruptcy, which is being manifested by cases of rape, defilement and gender based violence,” said Chakwera.

He said Malawi needs a strong cure to the disease.

President Chakwera said the country should in strongest terms refuse superstition and adopt transformation.

He added that the country should also say no to corruption which mostly results in some of the cases being buried and withdrawn from courts, lenient penalties to offenders and inconsistent sentences.

Chakwera also urged the citizenry not to stay silent on issues of rape and defilement.

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati said it is disheartening to note that many people have given a deaf ear to messages against the vice which is affecting the efforts to end it.

She however expressed optimism that the National Plan of action against the vice will help to curb the problem as most of its content is built from already existing instruments against the vices.

Cases of defilement, rape and violence against women has risen by 35% in this year alone which is higher compared to last year and currently a special taskforce has been instituted to spearhead the fight against the vices.