Some members of the District Peace and Unity Committee during the meeting.
Between January and August 2025, women groups in Thyolo resolved 51 conflict and GBV cases, including incidents of physical abuse and child marriages. Members of Area Peace and Unity Committees (APUCs) handled 43 GBV cases, mostly related to economic abuse, while girls’ clubs successfully intervened in six cases, including the termination of two child marriages.
These milestones were highlighted during a recent stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Chipembere Community Development Organization (CCDO) to review progress and strengthen collaboration. The meeting brought together political party leaders, civil society organizations, women groups, girls’ clubs, and members of both Area and District Peace and Unity Committees from across Thyolo district.
The mediators; women, girls and APUC members gained their skills through CCDO’s two-year project (2024–2026), Progressive Peace Building and Conflict Prevention among Women and Girls in Rural Communities of Thyolo. Supported by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) through UN Women, the project is being implemented in Traditional Authorities Bvumbwe, Changata, Nchiramwela, Maggie and Maganiza.
Through this initiative, CCDO has built the capacity of 97 girls in five girls’ clubs, 30 women group members and 55 APUC representatives in mediation and advocacy. Today, 44 women, 97 girls and 55 APUC members are actively mediating disputes and promoting peace across the five areas.
CCDO Executive Director Dalitso Chiwayula said empowering communities with mediation and advocacy skills ensures that solutions are home-grown and sustainable.
“We built the capacity of women groups, girls’ clubs, and Area Peace and Unity Committees because lasting peace can only be achieved when communities themselves are equipped to prevent and resolve conflicts.
Our approach is to shift women and girls from being passive recipients of support to becoming active leaders of change. Strengthening their capacity means that even after this project ends, Thyolo will continue to have strong voices and structures to prevent GBV and promote peace,” said Chiwayula.
Annie Tomato, Chairperson of the Chisomo Women Group in TA Nchiramwela, said her group uses village savings and loan groups (VSLs) and outreach platforms to spread anti-GBV messages and empower women.
“From January 2025 alone, 26 cases of domestic violence have been reported and resolved through our mediation efforts. Victims are now more willing to report abuse, and when cases prove difficult, we engage stakeholders such as chiefs and the police,” Tomato said.
She, however, warned that GBV remains a challenge, with physical violence and land disputes being the most common.
Meanwhile, District Peace and Unity Committee Chairperson, Martin Kavalo, praised the initiative for helping reduce violence in both politics and society.
“The capacity built in women, girls and peace committees is helping reduce cases of mob justice in Thyolo. People are now reporting abuse because they know help is within reach.
Even during the election campaigns, the district has remained peaceful, with rallies taking place without riots—thanks to the collaboration of CCDO and other partners,” said Kavalo.
Chiwayula making a presentation at the meeting
Participants posing for a group photo