Following the dissemination workshop that was carried out late last year (2015) in Lilongwe, FOL continued carrying out the workshops this year in Blantyre and Mzuzu.

FOL partnered with Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) who agreed to mobilize church leaders from different denominations to participate in the workshop. Pastor Samuel Banda who mobilized church leaders for the first workshop last year also agreed to mobilize church leaders for a workshop this year.

There were two workshops carried out in Blantyre at Grace Bandawe Conference Hotel on 24^th and 26^th February 2016. Pastor Samuel Banda mobilized church leaders mainly from different ministries in Blantyre who attended the workshop on 24^th February. MCC mobilized church leaders mainly from churches like Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, Roman Catholic and so forth who attended the workshop on 26^th February.

The number of participants for each workshop was fifty (50) and the targeted number was achieved; 50 participants attended all workshops in Blantyre. The church leaders were very attentive and participated fully during the workshop that some managed to demonstrate how the tool kit can be used. The workshop was also carried out as an awareness campaign to let the church leaders know of the One Stop Centers and services available for sexually abused victims. It was also discussed that the church leaders are a great tool for awareness because they have access to large numbers of people every week and they can use their sermons to reach out to a lot of people.

MCC mobilized church leaders for Blantyre for the 26^th and Mzuzu the 29^th of February. In Mzuzu, the target of fifty (50) participants was also met and they were equally attentive and participated fully. During the workshop they managed to debate on very critical issues like “is dressing a good enough reason to rape?” “Is there rape in marriage” and so forth. The church leaders in Mzuzu were not aware of the One Stop Center at Mzuzu hospital although it was built in 2014 but were enthusiastic about delivering sermons about rape, defilement and sexual assault and the services available for victims.

The participants were given hard copies of the toolkit as well as soft copies on flash drives. The tool kit is also available on our website for those wishing to download and print. Go to LEARN >> RESOURCES