She was born just like any human being.
But a chronic illness when she was 2 years old led to the paralysing of the left side of her body.
That was the genesis of Fatuma Mauseni’s story.
Living in a dilapidated house, Mauseni has for years become a victim of sexual abuse from men around her village in group village Mapata, senior Chief Kapoloma in Machinga district.
A mother of 2 girls whose fathers she cannot trace, Fatuma has been living a miserable life as she struggles for survival with her 2 daughters.
Narrating her story, Fatuma told us that men used to invade her house at night have sex with her and then go without even providing anything for her as they argued she was just a disabled woman who can do anything in life apar t from being used as a sex tool.
But 5 January 2021 will go down as a memorable day in Fatuma’s life as Gender Minister Patricia Kaliati invaded her village to officially hand over a 2 bedroomed fully furnished house that has been constructed for her by one Ramsey Mbewe a Malawian currently residing in the United States of America.
It was an event characterised by tears of Joy from Fatuma herself as well as her relatives as finally Fatuma has a house to call home for herself.
“I can’t believe this’’ was all what Fatuma could say as Gender Minister Patricia Kaliati cut the ribbon to symbolise the official handover ceremony of the house.
And later addressing people that gathered at Group Villlage head Mapata’s headquarters to witness the event, Kaliati said it is sad that some men deliberately take advantage of women like Fatuma to sexually abuse them.
‘’Some men are evil, look at Fatuma’s condition and some sane men come sleep with her, impregnate her and later on disappear. That is barbaric and I would urge law enforcers to pounce on such men’’, said Kaliati attracting jeers from the audience which was women dominated.
Meanwhile kaliati has urged women not to relent in reporting any forms of Gender based violence as government is committed to end any forms of GBV.
And speaking on behalf of the Mbewe family, Lucky Mbewe brother to Ramsey said the decision to construct the house was motivated by their childhood background.
‘’This is a second house my brother has constructed as last year he also constructed a similar house to another vulnerable family in Chiradzulu. We come from a humble beginning so we know how it feels like to live a life without basic amenities like accommodation’’ said Mbewe.
The 2 bedroomed house has been furnished with 2 beds, 2 mattresses, beddings as well as curtains.
Aside the furnishing, Fatuma has also been given other amenities like groceries and bags of maize from the Mbewe family and the Minister.
Lately the country has been recording an increase in Gender based violence cases most of which targeting girls and women