“A MenEngage Africa Training Institute, MATI fellow, Mphatso Kapito is at the forefront of gender justice in Malawi, rescuing trafficked girls and leading national peace dialogues. Kapito is transforming harmful customs and amplifying women’s voices in governance, conflict resolution, and community healing…” That’s according to Zaituni Nabateregga, Gender Transformative Approaches Specialist and MATI Coordinator at Sonke Gender Justice.
Kapito is a dedicated advocate for gender equality and inclusive peacebuilding, making contributions transforming communities across Malawi. As a 2024 fellow of the MATI, Kapito continues to lead grassroots and national efforts that amplify women’s voices and dismantle the structural barriers that fuel Gender-Based Violence .
His work is deeply rooted in the Machinga District, where harmful customs continue to rob girls of their youth through forced and child marriages, especially in the fishing areas. “In this region, it is against the law to marry individuals under the age of 18, yet harmful customs and fishermen continue to deprive girls of their youth,” says Kapito. Working closely with affected families, he has helped rescue trafficked girls and supported survivors through strengthened GBV referral systems. His advocacy has already yielded tangible results, like contributing to the election of Malawi’s first female member of Parliament in Machinga South-East. As a peace mediator, Kapito has resolved over 15 local cases involving land disputes, religious tensions, and child marriages.
Kapito played a key role at the national level in developing Malawi’s National Strategic Plan for Peace and Security (2024-2029), engaging in consultative discussions and the plan’s unveiling, which was attended by President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera. He has conducted training workshops aimed at youth and women regarding international peace and security agreements (UNSCR 2250 and 1325) and has facilitated community discussions in collaboration with the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre, the Forum for Youth Development, and UN Women.
Looking forward, Kapito plans to scale his outreach in collaboration with MenEngage Africa and other civil society actors, driving inclusive governance, transformative leadership, and sustainable development. He serves not only as a peacebuilder but also as an advocate for justice. Kapito aspires to dismantle harmful customs and traditional norms. He envisions a Malawi in which the voices of all individuals, particularly women and girls, are heard, valued, and protected.