Part of the crowd in Ntaja
The Malawi Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) is this week conducting awareness campaigns in Machinga and Mzimba districts aimed at addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with a particular focus on women, children, and the youth.
In Machinga, the LAB team visited Senior Chief Ntaja’s area, where large numbers of young people participated in an interactive session on rights, protection mechanisms, and available legal assistance. In Mzimba, another team engaged communities around Eswazini, delivering similar messages on combating harmful practices affecting women and girls.
LAB was accompanied by officers from the Malawi Law Commission, who highlighted legal remedies available to victims of abuse and the importance of reporting violations. Speaking during a presentation in Ntaja, Senior Legal Aid Advocate Brenda Khwale emphasised LAB’s role in supporting vulnerable individuals who cannot afford private legal services.
“There are instances where all you may need is a protection order to stop others from abusing you. We assist you with that, and we are the better option because we aim to help those who lack sufficient means to hire a private lawyer,” Khwale explained.
During the session, participants were allowed to ask questions and seek legal advice. From the discussions, it became evident that cases of abuse and child marriages remain prevalent in the area, calling for increased community intervention and awareness.
Senior Chief Ntaja commended LAB and the Law Commission for the event, noting that such initiatives are timely and necessary for improving the well-being of his people. In both Ntaja and Eswazini, LAB recorded statements from individuals requiring further assistance and provided on-the-spot legal advice.
The awareness campaigns continue today, with meetings scheduled in Mposa in Machinga and Kafukule in Mzimba.
These activities are supported by UNDP Malawi under the project “Bridging the Justice Gap: Strengthening Legal Access for Marginalised Communities in Malawi,” implemented through the Justice Action Coalition Initiative with funding from Germany and the Netherlands
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