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Former president Dr. Joyce Banda has reported the Msundwe alleged sexual assault incident by police officer to African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) which happened a couple of weeks ago.
Banda who served the country for two years from 2012 to 2014, and is in the body of the network was speaking yesterday at Kamilaza congregation belonging to Church of Central African Presbyterian of the Livingstonia Synod.
According to Banda women are facing a lot of challenges in the country , one of them being sexually abuse, hence her reason to report the matter to the African body.
Banda, who said is mandated to speak against such acts, added that the network has instituted investigations on the alleged cases of sexual assault.
“I am mandated to speak against violence against women. As a member of African Women Leaders Network, we are serious on the matter [of alleged police officers’ sexual abuse of girls and women], because we get surprised that the police [who are alleged culprits] are the ones investigating. We are also doing our own investigations and once we get the facts, we will seek justice. If Malawi will fail [to prosecute suspects] we are going [to report the matter] whether to International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice and Africa Court of Justice,” Banda said.
She then said the Executive arm of government should also play a critical role to make sure that citizens, especially the vulnerable, are protected from all forms of abuse.
Some police officers are said to have sexually harassed some girls and women in what is believed to be retaliation after a police officer, Usumani Imedi, was killed by some residents of Msundwe in a fracas which occurred there.
The AWLN aims to advance, train and support female leaders in Africa. It advocates policies that empower and enable women on the continent across the political, economic and humanitarian fields.
