This was revealed on Thursday during the district's launch of the 16 Days of Gender Activism which is celebrated across the world to raise awareness on the ills of GBV and finding ways of addressing them.

Neno District Social Welfare officer Paul Sosono said that a lot of men are facing gender-based violence but are reluctant to report in fear of losing their masculinity.

He said that in the area of Group Village Headman Kaluphya, cases of physical abuse and defilement were recorded which is a worrying development to the fight against GBV in Neno district.

He then advised men to always report any act of abuse and also be role models in the fight against GBV.

Neno District Commissioner Rosemary Nawasha also encouraged girls to take education seriously saying it is the only sure way of safeguarding their rights although some women are also hiding abuses to preserve their families.

She said that "if you concentrate on your education, you will be able to stand out in the society and no man can abuse you. But I am unhappy also to note that some well to do women hide their abusive husbands in the name of protecting their families, this must stop," said the DC.

She then said that she has been tipped of some girls abuse at a certain school and her office is following the development with keen interest.

A GBV survivor who is in standard eight at Kambale primary school (name withheld) said she once stoped going to school after a failed rape attempt on her way to school.

"A man came from nowhere grabbed and undressed me but by grace I managed to overpowered him. This instilled fear in me and I dropped out of school but after counseling from Partners in Health and Social Welfare office, am back to school," she said.

She then encouraged other survivors to report their cases while also returning to school if their abuse ended up in getting pregnancy.

A number of individuals and organisations were also awarded at the event for their exceptional works in the fight against GBV.

The event was celebrated under the theme " Unite! Invest to End Gender Based Violence in Neno District".