Malawi’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Fostino Maele, has urged prosecutors to challenge stereotypes surrounding gender-based violence (GBV), warning that misconceptions about survivors’ behaviour can undermine the fair administration of justice.
Maele made the remarks in Lilongwe during the opening of a training programme for prosecutors, which included the handover of the Southern African Development Community Handbook for Prosecutors on the Management of Gender-Based Violence.
He emphasised that prosecutors must assess evidence objectively, ensure cases are properly investigated and conduct prosecutions fairly, without discrimination against survivors.
The training was sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen responses to gender-based violence and improve access to justice.
The initiative highlights the importance of professional training in ensuring that cases are handled sensitively while protecting the rights of everyone involved.
Why it matters: Fair and informed handling of GBV cases can help strengthen public confidence in the justice system and improve access to justice for survivors.