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Convened in partnership with UN Women, UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA, the dialogue brought together young women, government leaders, justice actors, civil society organisations, and development partners to discuss solutions to the persistent challenges of violence against women and girls in Malawi.Earlier, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Rebecca Addah-Dontoh commended the collective efforts of UN agencies in addressing Violence against women and Girls and further called for stronger partnerships to address root causes. “Girls continue to face violence associated with poverty, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and harmful social norms that require coordinated action to reach communities and young people” she said.The event highlighted a powerful message: meaningful progress is only possible when girls and young women are not only heard but actively shape the decisions that affect their lives. Speaking on justice reforms, Justice Ivy Kamanga, representing the Women Judges Association of Malawi, stressed the need for systems that place survivors at the centre of the justice process. "The voice of the survivor is often heard towards the end of the process in the courtroom. We need laws and systems that hear, protect and support survivors throughout the entire process,” she remarked. Justice Kamanga also highlighted the growing challenge of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, noting that legal systems must evolve to respond to cyberbullying, online harassment, and other emerging forms of abuse. The dialogue also amplified the voices of women and girls with disabilities. Disability rights activist Hilda Macheso encouraged women and girls to reject limitations imposed by society and pursue their ambitions with confidence. “Do not ever let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. You have the same right as everybody else to dream. Everything is possible,” she said. Macheso emphasised that meaningful inclusion requires ensuring that everyone’s voice is respected and represented, regardless of disability. Drawing from her personal experience of overcoming cyberviolence, United Nations joint Spotlight Initiative Global Advocate Tiwa Savage encouraged women and girls to speak out against abuse and reject shame and victim-blaming.“Shame does not belong to me. Silence protects the abuser,” she stated. Tiwa Savage also highlighted the importance of engaging men and boys as allies in ending violence against women and girls. For Esther Bonyonga, Chairperson of the Young Feminist Movement, creating safer futures for girls requires moving beyond symbolic participation and ensuring young people have a genuine role in shaping solutions. “Young people are invited into rooms where decisions have already been made. Participation should be more than an invitation. Our voices should be heard, valued, and reflected in the decisions and initiatives aimed at ending violence against women and girls,” she said. Throughout the dialogue, participants emphasized the importance of survivor-centred services, stronger community support systems, coordinated responses across justice, health and social welfare sectors, and increased investment in girls’ leadership and empowerment. Closing the event, Minister of Gender Honourable Mary Thom Navicha reaffirmed the Government of Malawi’s commitment to advancing protection for women and girls. “We will not be measured by the laws we pass but by the number of girls who can access services and whose cases are handled by courts in good time,” she said.  The dialogue generated recommendations to strengthen child-sensitive justice systems, address online violence, support survivors, and expand opportunities for girls and young women to lead change in their communities. The dialogue reiterated the importance of continuing investments in women and girls, building on the gains of the Spotlight Initiative, and ensuring that every girl and young woman in Malawi can live, lead and thrive free from violence.