By Kondwani Magombo
Senior Chief Chowe of Mangochi has faulted culture and male chauvinism in men as factors fueling gender based violence in the country.
Chowe made the observation on Saturday during the district’s commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at Chowe Primary School in the district.
According to the chief’s observation, some aspects of culture continue to hold men in highest esteem as compared to their women counterparts to an extent that women are pushed into a far corner where they are viewed in low esteem.
“It may look simple and just like one of those things but the beliefs that men hold of being more superior to women in all aspects are the basis of gender-based violence,” explained Chowe.
“Take for instance; a husband and wife go to work in their garden together and they knock off at the same time, but you’ll see that it will be the wife carrying all the hoes; it will be the wife fetching firewood on the way home.
“It will also be the wife drawing water and preparing food for the man, who by this time, is resting under a tree at home,” said the traditional leader.
The chief observed that because the scenario is culturally wired in the minds of people and it is accepted by the society as a norm, women continue to suffer.
Chowe urged all traditional leaders to join hands in eliminating gender based violence by beginning to question the very issues that have been viewed as norms when they are not.
Principal Gender Development Officer, Grace Kuseni, who was guest of honour at the function, hailed chiefs for the role they play through their various leadership structures in the community in fighting gender violence.
Kuseni said government would continue its commitment to fighting gender based violence through various interventions including creating policies and legislative instruments against gender violence.
The commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begins on November 25 and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day, every year.
Mangochi district council has, during the period, conducted various awareness activities including road shows featuring dances, performances and speeches on the fight against the vice.-MANA