Gender-based Violence Increases in Malawi

New numbers from Malawi show that gender-based violence is increasing. There was an 18% increase in reported cases of domestic violence in 2007. Ásdís Bjarnadóttir, intern at ICEIDA’s Country Office who recently visited a women’s shelter in the city, wrote an article in which she states that the shelter deals with 50 cases each month. The director, Catherine Munthali, says that sometimes they are amazed how many people come to the shelter.

“Before, in Malawi, there was complete silence regarding domestic violence. With the emergence of the new laws and the campaign of non-governmental organisations that emphasise open discussions about these issues and transforming social, aspects there have been some changes. There is still a lot to be done but public discussions about this problem is the first step,” writes Ásdís.