YONECO supports the community sessions on preventing gender-based violence

YONECO supports the community sessions on preventing gender-based violence is profiled by BTW Media because public-source evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• YONECO is dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of adolescent girls and women in Malawi.
• Through community dialogue and the SASA! methodology, YONECO is empowering communities to combat gender-based violence and end practices like child marriage.
• The project contributes to the holistic development of communities by addressing the root causes of GBV and promoting a culture of respect for human rights.

The Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has been actively supporting community dialogue sessions aimed at preventing gender-based violence (GBV) in Dedza and Mchinji districts, empowering communities to contribute to the sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of adolescent girls. The success of YONECO’s initiative in Dedza and Mchinji districts sets a precedent for similar interventions in other regions, offering a model for how community-led dialogue can contribute to the fulfilment of SRHR and the prevention of GBV.

The role and significance of community dialogue sessions

YONECO has been actively involved in supporting community dialogue sessions in Dedza and Mchinji districts as part of their efforts to empower communities to contribute to the promotion of adolescent girls’ SRHR. These dialogue sessions focus on preventing GBV within these communities, aiming to raise awareness and provide education on the importance of respecting and upholding the SRHR of adolescent girls.

By engaging with community members and fostering discussions on GBV prevention, YONECO is working towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for adolescent girls in Dedza and Mchinji. Through these sessions, communities are gaining the knowledge and tools needed to combat GBV and promote the overall well-being of adolescent girls, ultimately leading to a more empowered and healthier community.

Trained community facilitators lead the sessions using the Start Awareness Support Action (SASA!) methodology to effectively mobilize communities in preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls. Several communities, including those in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mduwa, Zulu, and Mkanda, have made the commitment to end all child marriages during these dialogues. As a result, 144 child marriages have been terminated from January to mid-August 2024, with 131 minors (101 girls and 30 boys) being able to return to school.

Communities have also credited the SASA! methodology for increasing their awareness of GBV, understanding rights and violations, and learning preventive measures at various levels. This intervention is part of YONECO’s activities in Mchinji and Dedza under the “Action for Teen Mothers and Adolescent Girls” Project, funded by KOICA through UNFPA.

About Youth Net and Counselling

YONECO is a registered local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that was founded in 1997 to respond to issues that affect the youth, women and children in Malawi.

They are committed to empowering the youth, women and children; promoting good health, human rights and democracy; adapting and mitigating the impact of climate change; and conducting research for evidence-based programming and advocacy.