MHRRC was established in September 1997 after a one-year pilot phase with an overall objective of promoting and strengthening a culture of human rights in Malawi. The MHRRC works with civil society organizations to effectively support the developing democracy in the country.
Following a briefing on MHRRC by its programme manager Emma Kaliya the group was given the opportunity to visit two of the gender based violence victims support units it supports.
These units are run through the support of the Norwegian Embassy in Lilongwe as part of MHRRC’s contribution to the National Response to Gender-Based Vilonce – Malawi programme commissioned by UNFPA- especially related to education, Advocacy and capacity building activities assigned to NGOs and the various networks since November 2007.
The community of Mtema - located 22km from the center of Lilongwe - was highly excited to receive visitors and it does not take long to realize the sense of ownership they have to the project. The Satellite Victim Support Unit located within the police station of the locality serves victims of gender based violence acts such as wife-battering and husbands neglecting their home when receiving money for their harvest. Victims are encouraged to report their case to the unit and can stay there for a few days until a long term solution is found. In most cases reconciliation is achieved with the involvement of the village elders. The community members confirmed that the unit has reduced the rate of gender based violence in the locality in catering for the needs of the victims and raising the awareness of the community as a whole.
The project mobilizes girls and women into action groups against gender based violence and HIV/AIDS related issues. This group in Mtema made a tantalizing performance of drama and traditional dance with such messages. The performances were impressive in their power to engage the huge crowd and capture their interest all along although it was not for the first time that they were watching the show. It certainly is an effective way of getting the message through.