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(September 25, 2024) A series of radio programs on gender-based violence (GBV) broadcast by Nkhotakota Radio in August and September 2023 continues to attract significant community response more than one year later. Following the broadcasts last year, the Nkhotakota Police Station's Victim Support Unit initiated monthly awareness meetings in villages throughout the district.
Those awareness meetings continue today and the number of reported cases of gender-based violence has increased as people become aware of what it is.
More than a dozen court cases involving allegations of gender-based violence are currently being heard compared to fewer than five this time last year.
These awareness meetings serve a crucial purpose in the fight against GBV:
Education: Explaining the concept of gender-based violence to local residents
Reporting: Providing information on how to report incidents of GBV
Safety: Identifying safe places for survivors to seek help
The awareness initiative has seen encouraging participation from local youth -- particularly among females. For instance, in June and July more than 130 girls and women attended meetings in Nkhotakota district, compared to 72 boys and men.
This development aligns with broader efforts in Malawi to leverage youth-produced radio programs for social change. After receiving training from initiatives like PROPEL Health, youth reporters have been producing weekly radio programs on various reproductive health topics across several districts in Malawi. These programs have demonstrated the power of radio to influence behavior and policy.
The success of this initiative in Nkhotakota highlights the potential of community radio to spark action on other critical social issues. As the radio programs continue, they serve as a model for other districts seeking to combat gender-based violence and empower youth to lead change in their communities.
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