In an interview with Zodiak Online, Youth Impact Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mwiza Muwalo, says his organization through Mwakana Nkhaza project funded by spotlight initiative which includes female sex workers, persons with disabilities and albinism, and other marginal groups aims to develop and assign operational plans on eliminating discrimination and all forms of GBV in the district.

He further adds that the project has brought a great impact in capacity building among community members as they are now able to report all cases hindering their rights to different stakeholders and partners in the district.

“This is a concrete project that addresses GBV and enlightens the community on the importance of understanding human rights,” he said.

Muwalo has applauded Machinga Gender Technical Working Group (TWG) for its efforts in ending the malpractice through quarterly meetings in reviewing issues affecting people in the community.

Coordinator for people with disabilities in Machinga, Joshua Theo Jere, says the project has highlighted all sources of violence and discriminatory issues including harmful practices as some quarters of the society were not aware of the issues that affect them.

“I am delighted to see some changes in the community, where a good number of people that have been exposed to this knowledge, have implemented it so well and they people teaching others as well but the target is to reach out everybody,” Jere said.

Chairperson for female sex workers in the district, Judith Nthina praises spotlight through youth impact for coming in with Mwakana Nkhaza initiative that has brought peace among fellow sex workers and their clients.

This was noted at a stakeholders meeting in Machinga that was organised by Youth Impact to understand the impact of the project and other issues.