GBV blight on human conscience, says Malawi Minister for Gender |26 June 2023
Malawi’s Minister for Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, addressing the workshop (Photo: Moses Magadza)
Violence against women and girls is one of the most systematic and widespread human rights violations the world over, and it continues to be a major blight on the collective conscience of humanity.
This was said by Malawi’s Minister for Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, on June 22, 2023, during a high-level National Engagement and Capacity Building workshop for Malawi parliamentarians to promote the domestication of the SADC Model Law on Gender Based Violence. The meeting took place at Salima.
Minister Sendeza said gender-based violence now includes psychological, emotional and even cyber violence and cited statistics which she described as “very worrying”.
She said according to the World Health Organisation, 818 million women above the age of 15 years experience sexual or physical violence at home, in the community or in the workplace.
“Here in Malawi, nearly one in three women has experienced physical violence and one in four has experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey Report of 2015/2016,” Minister Sendeza said.
In addition, she said children were not spared from the scourge.
“One in five girls and one in seven boys under 18 have experienced sexual violence. Further, 47% of girls marry before their 18th birthday while 9% marry before their 15th birthday,” she told the MPs, imploring them to make the workshop testimony to their collective determination to expeditiously address the GBV issue, not only in Malawi but also across the SADC region.
According to a concept note shared at the workshop, gender inequality continues to be a persistent concern in the region as it poses significant obstacles to the fulfilment of socio-economic rights for women and girls.
The note shared studies showing a staggering gender gap of 67.9%, which at the current pace, would take the region about 98 years to close. It says women and young girls continue enduring social inequalities in employment, education, decision-making, and inheritance.
Minister Sendeza said the Model Law of GBV provides a comprehensive normative framework to fight GBV and it is a powerful tool for prevention and effective response since it provides for crucial aspects such as survivor protection, perpetrator accountability, and the overarching goal of fostering a society where women and girls can thrive without the burden of violence and discrimination.
“By embracing the Model Law as stakeholders in Malawi, we empower ourselves to build a future where the rights and well-being of all individuals are upheld, ensuring a society that is safe, equitable and free from the constraints of GBV,” she added.
The SADC Parliamentary Forum developed the Model Law. It says the Model Law sets a remarkable precedent as the first of its kind, encompassing not only physical violence but also economic, psychological, and cyber-related violence through digital platforms.
It also provides for an array of women's rights to ensure their voices are heard, their perspectives considered, and that they have equal opportunities to live free from violence and discrimination.
Minister Sendeza stressed that the Model Law is only effective if it is implemented and enforced effectively.
“This is where parliamentarians, working in with other stakeholders in the country come in. You have a critical role in ensuring that the Model Law is domesticated and integrated into our national legal framework to ensure the efficient dissemination to grassroots and remote areas, where its impact is needed the most,” she urged the MPs.
The minister stressed Parliament’s duty to ensure Malawi's legal framework is in line with international human rights standards.
“The Model Law is based on the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, among other international instruments, which Malawi has committed to. By domesticating the Model Law, we will be fulfilling our obligations under this declaration,” Minister Sendeza said.
She noted that the Model Law guarantees access to justice and support services for GBV survivors.
“The model law provides for the establishment of specialised courts and the provision of free legal and medical services, specifically to meet the needs of survivors.
“By domesticating and implementing it, we would ensure these crucial services are readily available to survivors in the country,” she said, adding this not only reinforces the importance of accountability and protection, but also serves as a beacon of hope for survivors as they receive necessary support and assistance.
The minister said domesticating the Model Law also has the potential to prevent gender-based violence through awareness and education.
“Through targeted educational campaigns and increased consciousness, we can strive towards a society that proactively combats GBV and cultivates an environment of respect and equality for all,” she said and encouraged participants to use the workshop as a platform for expanding knowledge on the Model Law, and sharing invaluable experiences and perspectives.
She called for active engagement in the formulation of strategies to ensure effective dissemination and domestication of the Model Law and also urged MPs to collaborate and leverage the strength of their diverse backgrounds, to identify priority areas for action and establish a comprehensive action plan to initiate the domestication with utmost urgency.
Given that the dissemination and domestication of the Model Law requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including Parliament, government agencies, media, civil society organisations, and the private sector, Minister Sendeza appealed for greater coordination among stakeholders for an effective and efficient process.
“The complex and widespread nature of GBV necessitates a comprehensive and coordinated response that transcends the mandates of our individual institutions and even national borders,” the minister noted, adding that eliminating all violence against women and girls is a pre-condition for peaceful societies.
She reminded MPs that in Malawi, the domestication of the Model Law is not just a legal obligation, but a moral imperative.
“As leaders, we bear the responsibility of safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly the most vulnerable. Let us build a society where gender-based violence is unequivocally condemned, and where women and girls can thrive with dignity, respect, and equality,” she advocated.
Minister Sendeza expressed gratitude to the SADC-PF and its secretary general, Boemo Sekgoma, Plan International, SAfAIDS and other UN agencies for contributing to the development, adoption, and promotion of the Model Law and organising the workshop.
She also paid tribute to the Speaker of the Malawi Parliament, Honourable Catherine Gotani Hara, for her leadership in the country’s commitment to champion the domestication of the Model Law on GBV.
The Model Law on GBV was adopted by the SADC PF during its 50th Plenary Assembly in December 2021. The comprehensive aspirational instrument aims to address gender inequalities in all their forms within SADC region. It strives to empower women and young girls by promoting education, facilitating employment opportunities, harnessing the potential of digital services and learning, and ensuring their safety in the digital space.
Among the many objectives of the workshop hosted in Malawi was enhancing awareness and understanding; providing MPs with a comprehensive understanding of the SADC Model Law and its significance in promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights.
The workshop was also aimed at raising awareness about the importance of domesticating the Model Law in Malawi to align national legislation with regional standards and commitments.
The high-level workshop was attended by the country’s top leadership which included parliamentarians, the Ombudsman, the Clerk of Parliament, representatives of UN agencies, legal experts, researchers and the media.
The meeting considered a legislative landscape on GBV in SADC after which SADC PF Legal Consultant, Eva Jhala, led the session in unpacking the SADC Model Law.
Moses Magadza in Malawi
