Luntha Television calls for enhanced collaboration in eliminating GBV, addressing inequalities in Malawi

Malawi: Luntha Television, a Catholic television station in Malawi, has called for increased collaboration between the Malawian government and its development partners in combating gender-based violence (GBV), addressing inequalities in the mining sector, and promoting climate-smart economic empowerment, writes Watipaso Mzungu.

Despite Malawi's steady progress in the protection and promotion of women's and girls' rights in all spheres of life, the station's director, Father David Niwagaba, observed that there are still gaps that impede women's and girls' participation in matters of national importance.

Luntha Television, in collaboration with other like-minded organisations such as the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC), Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), Women's Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC), Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), YONECO, and Malawi Girls Guides Association (MAGGA), has been implementing interventions to supplement government efforts to prevent and fight gender-based violence and went even further to set strategies to fight inequalities and promoting Climate smart economic Empowerment across the country.

Against this backdrop, Luntha TV has organised a conference to highlight Malawi's achievements in the fight against gender-based violence.

The conference is scheduled for November 8, 2022, at St. Augustine 3 Primary School in Mangochi.

The event will draw people from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including politicians and senior government officials.

Patricia Kaliati, Minister of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, is expected to attend as the Guest of Honour.

Niwagaba revealed that the theme of this year's national conference will be 'Gender equality and Justice for Economic Empowerment.'

The Luntha TV director also revealed that the conference will highlight existing gaps in project implementations, lobby for government interventions to fill those gaps, and use a 16-day activism design and approach to allow invited guests and the audience to learn from the activity.

Niwagaba, on the other hand, has praised Malawi's government for taking decisive steps to remove barriers to women's and girls' advancement in social, educational, and economic life.

He noted that the government has done a lot to promote women in society, as evidenced by more women serving in positions of high authority at the national, local, and community levels, more girls finishing school, and fewer girls being forced into early marriage.

Putting women and girls at the centre of economies, according to UN Women, will fundamentally drive better and more sustainable development outcomes for all, support a more rapid recovery, and put the world back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

These interventions have made a significant contribution to the reduction of violence against girls and women in Malawi, as well as to reducing inequalities and promoting climate-smart economic empowerment.