If we don’t speak up now, we allow violence and discrimination to continue. We are the change we’ve been waiting for -Dawani.
After participating in the Progressive Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Among Women and Girls in Rural Communities project, supported by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund through UN Women, a group of trained girls from Traditional Authority (TA) Bvumbwe has wasted no time putting their skills into action.
Led by their club Vice Chairperson, Aida Dawani, the girls organized and facilitated a sensitization session with the 40-member Kambiri Youth Club during a Village Savings and Loans (VSL) meeting—focusing on peace, gender equality and human rights.
“We wanted our fellow youth to understand that peace begins with how we treat each other, especially women and girls.
If we don’t speak up now, we allow violence and discrimination to continue. We are the change we’ve been waiting for,” said Dawani.
The outreach, held just days after the training, emphasized key messages around non-violence, unity during political processes and the importance of women’s participation in decision-making. For many attending the session, it was their first time openly discussing issues like gender-based violence (GBV) and civic engagement.
The initiative is part of CCDO’s broader strategy to strengthen grassroots leadership and prevent conflict in five traditional authorities across Thyolo: Bvumbwe, Changata, Mchiramwela, Maganiza, and Maggie. So far, 78 girls have been trained in peacebuilding, GBV prevention, and community leadership, with a target of reaching at least 100.
According to CCDO Executive Director Dalitso Chiwayula, the project goes beyond awareness, it builds agency.
“These young girls didn’t wait to be told what to do. They returned to their communities as leaders. This isn’t just about ending GBV. It’s about building future decision-makers, ensuring girls are at the center of peace and governance,” Chiwayula said.
He also highlighted the project’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable Development Goal 16, which envisions inclusive governance and peaceful societies, especially for marginalized groups.
The outreach in Bvumbwe is a testament to that vision—girls leading girls, breaking silence and building unity from the ground up. With Malawi’s September 2025 general elections approaching, such local actions are laying the groundwork for long-term peace and inclusion in Thyolo and beyond.