04 Nov 2020 | 01:37 AM UTC
Malawi: Activists gather in Lilongwe and Blantyre November 3
Female activists gather to demonstrate in Lilongwe and Blantyre on November 3 to denounce gender-based violence; avoid further protests as a precaution
Event
Female activists from the Association of Women in Media (Awome) staged demonstrations in Lilongwe and Blantyre on Tuesday, November 3, to protest against growing incidences of rape, particularly of young children. A third demonstration failed to take place in the northern city of Mzuzu. In Lilongwe, demonstrators marched for 5km (3 miles) to the Lilongwe Civic Offices, where they presented a petition to the Mayor Juliana Gondwe Kaduya. The rallies passed off peacefully.
A heightened police presence is to be expected in the vicinity of future demonstrations, with disruptions to transportation and businesses likely.
Context
More than 400 cases of sexual violence were reported to the police in Malawi between April and June 2020.
Advice
Those in Malawi are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate a heightened security presence, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
