Information and Broadcasting Minister Lt Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha’s wife, Jane has called on law makers to ensure that all forms of violence against women are criminalized.
Mrs. Shikapwasha says it is sad that cases of gender-based violence, especially against women and girls were on the increase in the country.
Mrs Shikapwasha was speaking during the close of the commemoration the Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence in Chibombo district yesterday.
She said although men were also victims to the vice in some cases, women and children are the most vulnerable.
She said the effects of violence which include, psychological trauma, physical disfigurement and death must be stopped at all cost.
Mrs. Shikapwasha said Gender, unlike sex, did not refer to the biological difference between women and men but it referred to social, cultural, economical and political relationships.
Mrs Shikapwasha commended Zambian women of prominent standing that had risen against gender violence through civil society organisation such as FAWEZA, Women For Change and African Women’s Millennium Initiative On Poverty and Human Rights (AWOMI).
She said there was also need for government to repeal the discriminatory clause in the areas of adoption, marriage, divorce, burial and devolution of property on death and other matters related to personal law as it was in these areas where violence manifested itself more.
She said demanding implementation of challenge called for consented efforts from both male and female adding that the sixteen days of activism against violence must not pass without any positive change on each one of them.
Meanwhile Organising committee chairperson Donald Mate called for the full participation of men in the commemoration of the sixteen days of activism against gender based violence.
Mr. Mate said it was gratifying that a lot of men turned up to support their women folk during the commemoration.
ZANIS.
Until we realise men and women are equal, these careless statements from important people will always be there. Sorry guys I am being thick, do we still have different pass marks for boys and girls in Zambia? I mean at grade seven and nine!
Mrs Shikap just keep quiet. Do not open your mounth again.
Tell your Husband who is in the Ruling Party which was criminalizing Chansa Kabwela .
Gender based Domestic violence does not only affect women. Both men and and women are victims.
Kapena Ba Shika bamenya maningi madam hence her public outcry.
Mrs Shikapwasha, how about all forms of corruption and lies like your husband’s, are they not crimes? Be careful madam not to join in hypocrcy and idle talk. We have enough of this from your husband and his accomplices.
Im at work enjoying GT,but will be finishing work shortly and will be saying soon ciao, but i hate violence as well to our loved ladies let us love them and not hate them.
Guys what is the solution that will find our women more happy and loved?
lead by example..your husband his language insinuates violence against opponents(us) against his master….