Gender sensitive men seize Malawi.

• Author: Kalua, Chimwemwe

December 1 and 2, 2003 live in the memory of the people of Malawi and, in particular, those of Mitundu in Lilongwe District. On those two days, gender sensitive African men from Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia and Malawi, supported by some women, went into Lilongwe with messages challenging men to be gender sensitive and respect women.

The climax was at Mitundu where men from the said area converged to listen to what the fellow men would say on issues of gender. It was encouraging to observe that issues of male masculinity and violence against women (VAW) were competently addressed during that encounter.

Of importance is the fact that this men's movement goes a long way in enforcing compliance with our own domestic laws and internationally recognised laws that call upon mankind to treat each other equally, in particular, to respect the rights of women.

The results of the meetings may not be necessarily conspicuous now but certainly gender activists and gender sensitive men have now been provided impetus from where they can confront issues of GBV with fellow men effectively. Tangible results will be seen soon. For instance, the Malawi Government, has been given food for thought on the involvement of men in the fight against GBV.

Chimwemwe Kalua is a lawyer and a member of Men for Gender Equality Now in Malawi.

Les dates du 1er et du 2 decembre resteront vivantes dans la memoire des peuples du Malawi, en particulier de ceux de la region de Mitundu, du district de Lilongwe. Pendant ces deux jours, des hommes africains sensibles au genre venant du Kenya, de la Zambie, de l'Ethiopie et du Malawi et appuyes...