Malawi men also suffer gender based violence – Inkosi Mpherembe
Ngoni traditional leader, Inkosi Mpherembe of Mzimba, has said men are also victims of gender based violence (GBV).
Speaking when this year’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV Campaign, he said there were significant cases of men and boys that were victims.
“The problem is that men suffer in silence. Some women abuse males mentally and also sexually. We know the cases may not be as big as compared to female victims, but we must all do something.
“Both men and women deserve the best of their right to be treated with dignity,” he told the gathering at the launch held at Tovwirane centre in the district.
He requested the guest of honour, minister of Gender, Women and Children Affairs to inform eLonhleshi (Lilongwe) to do something about this trend.
The national event attracted rights campaigners under the NGOGCN (non-governmental organizations gender campaign network) alliance, which comprises multispectral partnership and approaches, including the faith community through the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC).
Emma Kaliya, chairperson for the network, agreed men were also victims, though women constitute the biggest percentage.
“We are aware that some men have been abused. There are other traditions for instance, which forces a man back to his village after bearing children. This is one of the many abuses against men. Some women mentally and even physically torture their husbands and other men.
“The boy child just as the girl child is also abused. Children are the chief victims in all this. Their educational and basic welfare is compromised when a husband and wife abuse the other,” she lamented.
The event, which is annual, also witnessed abuse testimonies, drama, partner intervention displays, dances, recitals and poems, a live band and speeches.
