Women’s rights groups working in and outside Malawi have applauded the High Court of Malawi for abolishing the corroboration rule in sexual offenses. – By Gerald Gekara.
The rule has for ages been seen as discriminative against women & girls who are usually the victims of sexual offences.
Under the corroboration rule, women are required to provide a witness or medical evidence to gain a conviction.
Getting medical evidence is difficult in many developing countries as people do not know they need to seek help before washing or changing.
Most facilities are often not equipped to collect and preserve evidence.
It has been repealed in many countries, including the United States, Britain, Kenya, Namibia and South Africa.
According to statistics, rape is widespread in Malawi but is rarely reported due to stigma, death threats, lack of access to the judicial system and a belief that sex crimes should be dealt with privately.
The United Nations Women office in Malawi applauded the landmark ruling by the courts
“Celebrating the high court abolishing the corroboration ‘rule’ in sexual offenses which is discriminatory against women and girls. Together with our partners, we have been advocating for this landmark verdict.” UN Women – Malawi tweeted.
The Young Feminist Network urged Malawi citizens and leaders to respect and protect women’s rights, even as the Judicial system does its part.
“In order for women’s rights to be respected and protected, we need to continuously rid the different systems in society of the discrimination they perpetuate. The decision to abolish the corroboration rule in sexual offenses is a progressive one and a step in the right direction” tweeted Young Feminist Network.
