MANET PLUS geared to eliminate gender-based violence

Malawi Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (Manet+) says it is geared to completely eliminate violence against women and children in districts across the country. 

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Speaking at the end of a four-day training session recently in Nkhotakota, Manet+ Executive Director, Lawrence Khonyongwa, said the training aimed at imparting in the participants Sasa- Faith approach in the fight against gender based violence.

“Sasa-faith approach is an initiative being used to work with communities on gender based violence.

 “As you are all aware, gender based violence affects programmes on HIV and AIDS, COVID-19 and other issues that communities face,” said Khonyongwa, adding that one of the important activities in the approach is to work with communities to empower them with knowledge on what gender based violence is. 

Manet+ will implement a COVID-19 Intervention Project until December, 2023 across districts in the country.

One of the training facilitators, Bishop Moffat Litchapa, said, “According to our norms and culture, more power is given to men than women, and boys than girls.

“So, there is use of force over women and over girls. Therefore, we are targeting women and girls because we want them to be protected from violence, hence the use of Sasa-faith approach to change mindset towards women and children.”

Bishop Litchapa further stated that in this approach, three pillars are being promoted namely justice, peace and dignity.

Reverend Rebecca Manguwo, one of the participants to the training, said as faith leaders, they receive a lot of grievances from community members regarding gender-based violence; therefore, the training would help with new approaches to deal with the issues.

The COVID-19 intervention project will be implemented until December, 2023.