The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) in Karonga, Malawi to strengthen their gender-based violence (GBV) case reporting, management and documentation.
Stella Zimba Wella, CCJP’s gender officer, emphasised the importance of proper documentation, saying it is crucial for justice and advocacy delivery.
“Case documentation is not just a bureaucratic exercise; it’s a critical tool for justice and advocacy,” Zimba Wella said during a training session for Karonga-based CSOs.
“Properly documented cases provide evidence that can influence legal proceedings, inform policy changes, and secure funding for interventions.”
Zimba Wella encouraged CSOs to refine their skills in documenting and managing cases while respecting confidentiality, upholding ethical standards, and ensuring accuracy.
She also stressed the importance of collaboration through joint monitoring, which can reduce challenges and ensure a more just society.
Karonga District CSO-Network chairperson Edgar Phiri praised CCJP for the training, saying it will boost their efforts to eradicate GBV cases in the district.
Karonga District Gender Officer Ireen Mwenilupembe highlighted the alarming GBV statistics, with 287 cases reported by men and 957 by women from January to November.
The training was part of CCJP’s project, Enhancing Effective Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Women and Girls from GBV, supported by Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid.
As Karonga District launches its 16 Days of Activism Campaign against GBV, CSOs are committed to strengthening local GBV case reporting structures and documentation to end the vice.
