From Listening to Action: WUCWO Shares WWO Project Results in Malawi
GBV Learning, Innovation and Action Symposium, Lilongwe
History was made when the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations participated in the Malawi GBV Learning, Innovation and Action Symposium 2026 through a presentation at a two day national learning and engagement platform that brought together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, development partners, survivors, advocates, and community leaders to share evidence, innovations, lessons learned and promising practices in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response that took place from 24th to 25th August in Lilongwe, Malawi.
WUCWO shared the results of the survey that was conducted in 2023 in Malawi and other African countries under the World Women’s Observatory’s Listening to transform lives project. The presentation titled from Listening to Action was under the thematic area: gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response. The project which was done with funding from Hilton foundation shows that listening has the capacity to bring lasting change. When done well, structured listening also: builds trust in safe, consistent spaces, Surfaces hidden, unreported violence and Strengthens referral pathways to services.
Lucy Vokhiwa Board Member for Malawi emphasized that Listening alone is not enough — it must connect to ongoing, real support. Local ownership and ongoing (not one-off) engagement are what make it work. Locally 808 women took part in the survey which revealed that Verbal, economic, and emotional violence were reported far more often than physical violence and these details are very important in developing interventions.
The symposium which was organized by the Malawi Irish Consortium on Gender Based violence (MICGBV) was officially opened by Hon. Mary Navicha, MP, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare. In her speech she acknowledged all efforts and commitments being undertaken by the various players working in the fight to end Gender based violence but challenged people now to take action in ending GBV as a lot of research and policies have already been developed in this area. She commended the MICTV for their continued interventions in ending
The symposium brought together Government officials, Development Partners, academia, Implementers, Youth representatives, survivors and Community Representatives among many other players.
The symposium focused on policy implementation, accountability, GBV financing, and multisectoral coordination live testimonies from GBV survivors, community perspective including prevention models that work, and male engagement.
Lucy Joceylin Vokhiwa, WUCWO Board Member and Community Manager
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