Inaccurate information and lack of awareness about gender issues have been identified as key factors contributing to gender-based violence (GBV), inequalities, and human rights violations. The Kachere community in Blantyre, Malawi, is particularly affected, with women and girls experiencing various forms of abuse and rights violations.

Mrs Hope Jumbe, a representative of the women’s forum in the community, highlighted the lack of understanding and confidence among women as other factors related to gender issues.

In response to these factors, the Concerned Youth Organization – one of the Commonwealth of Learning’s (COL) partners in Malawi implementing the Empowering Women and Girls (EWG) project – aims to increase women’s and girls’ knowledge of gender issues, recognising that knowledge is a powerful tool for empowerment.

With funding from Global Affairs Canada, COL initiated a three-year EWG project in 2023 with the goal of improving the realisation of human rights for women and girls from disadvantaged communities in selected areas of five Commonwealth member states, including Malawi.

Mrs Margaret Magombo – a participant from the Kachere community and the chairperson of the women’s group – expressed her newfound awareness, stating, “I had no idea about the various types of GBV. Some of these incidents happened to us, but we did not report them. The awareness sessions helped us understand where to report such cases.”

Acknowledging the project’s positive impact, the Group Village Head of Kachere pledged ongoing support for the project to champion women’s and girls’ empowerment and eradicate gender-based violence in the community. The success of this project lies not only in imparting knowledge but also in fostering a sense of agency among women and girls to address and report incidents of GBV.