In a bid to combat Gender Based Violence (GBV), Youth Net and Counseling (Yoneco) has embarked on a 21-day training for skills coaches under the Ana Patsogolo Project (APA).

The training has brought together 44 girls from 19 health facilities from Blantyre and Zomba with the highest number of children living with HIV.

Speaking to Yoneco FM online, the girls programme coordinator from Ujama Pamodzi Organization Angella Ng’omang’oma, cited that among others, the skills will gain skills on self-defense in case of rape so that when they return to their communities they can competently teach the adolescents.

“The girls will acquire different skills from this training and from the sessions we have held so far the girls have been able to give out examples of cases that occur in their respective communities.” she said.

Commenting on the development, District Youth Officer for Zomba Kettie Mwandira said the training is very critical in addressing some of the challenges that adolescents face.

“Adolescents in Zomba are susceptible to abuse and this puts them at risk of contracting HIV therefore this training could not have come at a better time,” she said.

One of the participants from Chingale Tamandani Matewere from Chingale stated that the training will assist her in reaching out to school girls who are mistreated by some teachers.