Across Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, IRLI works alongside justice institutions to strengthen trauma-informed practice, improve coordination, and remove barriers to access — so justice protects, not harms.

The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) is a key partner in IRLI's Zambia programme and through its Gender-Based Crimes Department (GBCD) it plays a vital role in prosecuting these crimes and advocating for stronger legal protections. We caught up with Monde Manyando Muyoba-Chizongo, Senior State Advocate, and Chali Mbewe Hambayi, the Director of the GBCD.

Legal expert, Rhea Kneifati, who specialises in sexual and gender-based investigations talks to us on the show this month.

In the third edition of our series dedicated to the work of our partner organisations, we shine the spotlight on the Gender and Justice Unit, a Malawian non-profit that uses legal empowerment as a catalyst for gender equality and social and environmental justice. We spoke to its Deputy Director and Project Manager Emma Kalea Chigwenembe to find out more. 

Update 2025: The conviction referenced in the article, below, has been overturned by the Court of Appeal, which found that serious interpretation errors during the trial compromised the fairness of the proceedings. The underlying trial verdict therefore no longer stands.

Irish Rule of Law International continues to monitor developments in prosecutions of female genital mutilation (FGM) and remains committed to supporting robust legal frameworks, fair processes, and justice for survivors.

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By Aoife Lawlor

*Content warning: violence against women, child cruelty, and genital mutilation*

IRLI's Tanzania programme is aimed at providing access to justice to victims of child sexual abuse (CSA)–building on Ireland's experience of investigating and prosecuting such matters. While Ireland has general expertise in CSA matters, this is not the case for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice which is more common in Tanzania. IRLI is monitoring the most recent developments in this Irish case of FGM.