Malawi: Women Lawyers Association (WLA) has promised to positive change in fighting against gender based violence. The organization will be working with stakeholders on this mandate in different communities of Malawi.
The Women Lawyers Association made this declaration during a student legal clinic. The initiative was held at Gumba CDSS in Mchinji.
WLA believes that educating children on different forms of gender-based violence will help them understand their rights. The education on this topic will also empower them to take necessary action when they face such type of violence.
Tonthozo Saukila, waging Justice for Women Fellow at Women Lawyers Association pointed out that the legal clinic is set not only to equip students and stakeholders on the different forms of violence but also to help them understand the roles they can play in assisting victims in their communities.
“Mostly people focus on the physical form of violence not knowing that there is also emotional violence as well as economical violence and we hope legal clinics like these will help them get more insight,” she said.
Gumba CDSS Head Teacher, Davidson Edward Chikandira expressed her agreement with Saukila. He says the coming in of the legal clinic has opened student’s minds as well as teachers to not overlook issues on gender based violence.
“We now know the different forms of violence and I believe that the students will be able to open up more if they are facing any form of violence be it at home or around the school campus,” said Chikandira.
He further said children face different forms of abuse at home which affects their performance in class which is bad for the educational development.
Khadija Rashid, a form three student at the school appreciated the Women Lawyers Association for organising the student legal clinic saying it has helped them understand their rights better and hope that they will be able to fight against violence in their families and communities.
The Women Lawyers Association in collaboration with Clooney Foundation for Justice is set to conduct 18 legal clinics across Malawi from May to December 2025.
It plans to conduct four student legal clinics in the country and has so far conducted student legal clinics in Phalombe and Mchinji.