PAC challenges women, youth to lead peacebuilding and end GBV in Malawi

The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has reaffirmed the critical role of women and young people in promoting peace and resolving conflicts in Malawi, while urging faith leaders to take a leading role in ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful cultural practices.

The call was made during the opening of the Women in Faith Regional Forum, the first in a series of four regional engagements aimed at equipping religious leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent GBV, support survivors, and strengthen peacebuilding efforts within their communities.

Speaking on behalf of the PAC Women in Faith National Executive Committee, the forum’s convener welcomed delegates from across the country and emphasized that faith leaders have a unique responsibility to champion justice and protect the vulnerable.

Held under the theme, “Silence Protects Perpetrators, Speaking Out Protects Survivors: Expose Gender-Based Violence,” the forum brings together women leaders from PAC’s five mother bodies: the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), Malawi Council of Churches (MCC), Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), Qadria Muslim Association of Malawi (QMAM), and the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM).

The convener said participants had gathered not merely as representatives of their respective religious institutions but as custodians of human rights, united in their commitment to eliminate GBV and harmful practices in Malawi.

She stressed that women and youth remain indispensable partners in building peaceful and resilient communities.

Drawing from international peacebuilding frameworks, she explained that PAC established Women in Faith in 2014 following the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 of 2000, which calls for greater participation of women in peace and security processes.

Similarly, after UNSCR 2250 of 2015 recognized young people as key agents of peace and positive change, PAC created the Youth Peace Ambassadors initiative to ensure meaningful youth participation in its peacebuilding interventions.

Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Women in Faith programme operates at national, regional and grassroots levels, promoting peace, social cohesion and conflict prevention through faith-based leadership.

The convener said members had undergone extensive training to strengthen their capacity to mediate conflicts, promote peaceful coexistence and advocate for the rights of women and girls.

“We, Women in Faith, are among the most trusted, resilient and deeply embedded leaders within our communities. We serve as pillars of resilience and agents of transformation,” she said.

Beyond promoting peace, the regional forums will also sensitize participants on the implementation of the National Plan of Action on Gender-Based Violence, in line with the Gender Equality Act of 2013 and the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.

The initiative seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of psychosocial support services, identify existing referral pathways and service gaps, develop a pilot PAC referral centre for GBV survivors, and introduce the Women in Faith Communication Strategy to strengthen advocacy and public awareness.

PAC also commended the commitment demonstrated by women faith leaders in combating GBV and expressed gratitude to Religions for Peace for supporting efforts to promote gender equality and peaceful communities in Malawi.

Closing the ceremony, the convener urged participants to remain united in confronting violence against women and girls, quoting the Chichewa proverb “Mu umodzi muli mphamvu”—”In unity there is strength.”

“Let us work together to build peaceful communities that are free from gender-based violence,” she said before officially declaring the regional forum open.