Each year, Malawi joins the rest of the world from 25 November to 10 December to observe 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based violence (GBV), a global movement dedicated to raising awareness, strengthening commitments, and inspiring collective action to end violence against women and girls.

As government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, and community members gathered in Balaka on November 25, 2025, for the national launch of this year’s national campaign, an intimate partner violence incident was unfolding in the area of Traditional Authority Njema in Mulanje district — leaving the community in shock and grief.

Armed with a panga knife which was hidden in his clothes, Henry Makupe,24, allegedly pounced on her 17-year-old ex-girlfriend Bertha, inflicting multiple deep wounds on both her arms, under the neck and on her head. A six-month old baby was also injured in the brutal attack.

Villagers quickly rushed the girl and the baby to Sukasanje Health Centre and reported the matter to police. While this was happening, an angry mob descended on Makupe, killed him, and dumped his body in the nearby Nambiya River.

An hour later, the two were referred to Rev. John Chilembwe Hospital in Phalombe for further treatment.

The hospital’s deputy spokesperson, Happy Chawinga, confirmed that Bertha had multiple severe injuries and that her left arm had been amputated. Chawinga said the baby sustained cuts but was responding well to treatment.

How it all started

Speaking two days after the incident, while sitting beside a hospital bed where the teen lay in pain, Bertha’s uncle Mpereya said his niece had been in a short-term relationship with Makupe, who intended to marry her. Bertha ended the relationship after enduring repeated physical abuse.

According to the uncle, despite the break up, Makupe refused to accept Bertha’s decision to walk away from the relationship.

“Three days before the incident, Makupe came to the house where Bertha stays with her grandparent, as her parents died long ago,” he said. When he asked to see my niece, she refused, and he left angrily.”

On the day of the attack, Bertha had gone out to buy tomatoes while carrying her six-month-old niece on her back.

“On her way home, she suddenly heard Mukupe shouting at her to stop. Bertha run, but unfortunately she fell down,” he said. That is when Makupe took out his dagger and attacked the two.”

Bertha’s elder sister Mwandida confirmed that Makupe had been pressuring her to marry him, but she had refused because he used to beat her. Mwandida said the family had even gone to warn him days before the assault.

Speaking beside her injured baby, Mwandida described the incident as “horrific”.

“My child is in great pain. She is just crying,” she said.

Mulanje Police spokesperson, Innocent Moses, said investigations show that Makupe was aggrieved after the girl ended the relationship due to his abusive behaviour.

Moses added that the police have launched a manhunt for the people who killed Makupe and urged community members to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

Phalombe District Gender Officer, James Gubudu, who rushed to the hospital after learning about the incident, expressed deep concern that such violence is happening at a time when the country is observing the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

“It is saddening because it feels like our efforts are not being recognised. We will, however, intensify our awareness meetings in surrounding communities,” Gubudu said.

Activist outraged

Women’s rights activist and Malawi Child Advocacy Centre executive director, Memory Chisenga strongly condemned the attack calling it “uncalled for”.

“No girl or woman should ever be injured or hacked in that manner for refusing a relationship or marriage. No man has the right to physically abuse a woman,” she said.

Chisenga warned men against harmful social norms that make them feel entitled to women’s bodies.

“You cannot force any girl into a relationship. If she says no, walk away,” she said.

Chisenga added that the attack reflects what many women in Malawi are experiencing—being forced into relationships or marriages and that many cases go unreported due to fear.

She called on child and women’s rights organisations to come together to support the survivor.

“We will visit her this coming week so we can can support her in whatever way we can,” she said. We understand she will face many challenges because of the injuries.

“We have laws, but implementation is weak”

Speaking at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism, Non-Governmental Organisation Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) chairperson, Maggie Kathewera Banda, expressed concern over the high prevalence of violence against women.

“For example, 42% of married women have experienced intimate partner violence,” she said.

Kathewera Banda called on the government to expedite the review of the National Action Plan to address gaps in implementation and increase public awareness of GBV.

“We have the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, the revised Penal Code that addresses child marriage, and the constitution, which sets the marriage age at 18.  The laws are good, but implementation remains the challenge,” Kathewera Banda said.

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha emphasized at the same event that one in three women in Malawi has faced physical violence from an intimate partner.

Navicha warned that the government will take action against all perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

Some of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 5 are to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, both in public and private spheres, and to end harmful practices such as child and forced marriage by 2030.

However, Bertha’s story serves as a painful reminder that Malawi still faces an uphill task in achieving these commitments.

Real names of the survivor and her family have been withheld.