THE 44% DEVALUATION TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE FIGHT AGAINST GBV.

Women Rights Activist Jessie Kabwira says the 44% devaluation will negatively affect efforts made by stakeholders in eliminating gender-based violence cases in the country as a lot of women and girls will depend on men for their survival.
Kabwira made the remarks ahead of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against GBV which will commence Saturday 25 November to 10 December 2023.
Speaking in an interview with Yetu Radio, Kabwira said the devaluation will force a lot of women to be in toxic relationships and young girls to sleep with elderly men in order to survive the economic hardship that the country is sailing through.
Furthermore, Kabwira pointed out in deciseness as a major factor contributing to GBV in the country as the government is just agreeing to any conditions given by international monetary bodies that hinder the livelihood of Malawians, especially women and girls.
Kabwira also said the country is not doing enough in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and that the 16 days activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence is rhetoric in nature saying that government officials just like receiving allowances during this period but they don’t care if the campaigns on GBV are really bringing a change in the country
Kabwira further added that some of the government officials are also in the lead in increasing GBV in the country hinting that some of them are sleeping with under-aged children.
Kabwira added that she sees Malawi’s vision of 2063, full of people who still take women as sex instruments and punching bags for men.
However, Kabwira commended the Media for being active in reporting issues of Gender-Based Violence but has asked for more funding as some individuals pay a lot of money for some stories concerning them not to be published
“The media is really helping in the fight against GBV through its coverage of issues of GBV happening in the country and a lot of people are aware of GBV because of the media, but it lacks funding,” Kabwira said.
This year’s 16 Days Activism Campaign against Gender Based Violence will be under the theme “United to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls”.