Umunthu Plus says the Women for Voice Peace Project which it has been implementing in Nkhotakota district has made more strides in empowering women taking up leadership roles in their respective communities.
Mike Mgura, the organization’s Monitoring, Planning, Evaluation and Reporting Manager, indicates the gains extend to curbing early child marriages as well as formation of women forums.
He says although they have faced challenges along the way but they are rejoicing with the benefits they have achieved.
" Through this project woman have been advocating for issues that have been hindering progress and development within their areas. Another milestone is that they have been acting as the voice for the voiceless by acting as arbiters during conflicts among people in their areas’’, says Mgura.
According to Mgura, the women forums have also been instrumental in fighting witchcraft accusations that have continuously been leveled toward people whose age has advanced.
The project has excited Nkhotakota District Council which says they coordinated cordially with Umunthu Plus during the course of implementing it.
Its Principal District Gender Officer Alick Munthali says the collaboration has led to people in appreciating the value of women in leadership positions.
"Initially we did not have women forums in the district. The forums will go a long way in helping authorities deal with disputes that may emerge in their communities", says Munthali.
He adds some notable gains are women being able to represent themselves such policing Area Development Committees to follow guidelines when discharging their mandates.
Adds Munthali, "we have lobbying custodians of culture such as religious and traditional leaders so as to provide positive information and empirical evidence on the benefits of women in leadership positions’’.
According to data provided by Umunthu Plus, 9 women forums have been established.one forum at district level and eight forums Traditional Authority level.
All were trained conflict prevention, resolution and management, leadership, gender equality and advocacy.
Additionally, 44 women forums were established at Group Village Head level.
It indicates,146 conflicts ranging from land, property grabbing, Chieftaincy wrangles and Gender Based Violence were mediated and resolved.
The Organization’s Gender officer Andrew kasamba indicates the women forums are sustainable and will be a pillar for advancing women rights in the district.
Umunthu Plus has been implementing the Women Voice for Peace with funds from the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund of the UN Women.
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