Mchinji, Malawi - In Mchinji, a quiet transformation is taking place, reshaping age-old societal norms. Men, traditionally seen as guardians of a conservative masculinity, are now actively encouraging each other to lead the charge against gender-based violence (GBV).

This positive shift is a direct outcome of the Action for Teen Mothers and Adolescent Girls project, a beacon of change implemented by UNFPA with the generous support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Douglas Mbewe, a 27-year-old father of three from Miliyoti Village is one of the men at the forefront of this movement. Douglas is not just a man; he is a male champion, dedicating himself to the noble cause of eradicating gender-based violence in his community. His commitment goes beyond mere words, as he actively engages in campaigns and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and equipping the community to address and report GBV incidents promptly.

"As a male champion, I always emphasize the importance of us men taking the leading role in fighting gender-based violence," Douglas proudly asserts.

Most cases reported in our communities point to men as perpetrators. So, we have to take them on board and educate them on the need to end this vice.

In a community where traditional masculinity is deeply ingrained, Douglas's role as a male champion carries significant weight. Despite facing the challenge of changing deeply rooted behaviors, he remains confident that, in the coming years, both women and men in his community will enjoy equal rights.

"The Action for Teen Mothers and Adolescent Girls project equipped us with the tools to bring about the changes we require in our communities," explains Douglas. "In the past, we didn’t know how to work with influential local leaders such as chiefs, but now we have managed to make them our allies. With custodians of local cultures on our side, the battle is half won."

However, Douglas acknowledges that their successes have not come without challenges.

"It's not always easy to be a male champion," he admits. "We still face resistance from men who frown upon our work. But I always try to explain to them that GBV may happen to their sisters or mothers. This means it's our collective responsibility to stop gender-based violence."

Mzondeni Sandram, another male champion trained under the project, echoes this sentiment. From Wandikani village, Mzondeni actively engages with fellow men and youths through local youth networks. Every weekend, they gather to discuss issues affecting their lives and, crucially, the lives of women and girls.

"In our discussions, we look at gender-based violence from both perspectives," Mzondeni shares. "Although we emphasize its impact on women and girls, we also talk about its impact on men. Since most men are told not to complain, we have seen a lot of them committing suicide over issues that could have been resolved through counseling."

So far, 57,906 men and boys in Mchinji have been reached with various topics such as gender based violence, human rights and sexual and reproductive health  including family planning.

Joseph Scott, Communications Analyst