Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati has warned that her ministry will punish anyone involved in gender-based violence (GBV) against girls, women and the elderly in the country.

The Minister made the remarks in Lilongwe on Thursday during a press briefing where she condemned what she described as extreme inhuman forms of GBV currently taking place in the country.

She said her ministry is deeply concerned with the increase of GBV cases which she said have affected women, young girls and the elderly.

“As a ministry, we are deeply concerned by the trend of violent incidences occurring in this country.

“This week, we have received several reports, extremely shocking, about inhumane treatment perpetrated against girls, women and older persons,” Kaliati said.

Recently, there were some reports that a girl was stabbed to death by her boyfriend in Mzimba due to mere allegations of cheating.

In Chileka-Blantyre, a 9-year-old girl was badly scalded by her own father on the allegation that she refused to clean dishes. She is in a bad state with deep wounds on her hands and feet.

Kaliati said it was saddening to note that in this age and era when people are supposed to be more civilized, some Malawians are still involved in barbaric acts against fellow Malawians, particularly women, girls as well as young boys.