A group of regional NGOs have condemned recent utterances made by Minister of Defence Geoffrey Mwamba suggesting that ‘beating a wife is a sign of love’ and ‘mild’ forms of violence against women are acceptable where he comes from.
The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), the Non-Governmental Coordinating Council (NGOCC), Women in Law in Southern Africa (WILSA) and Oxfam released a joint statement expressing outrage over the Minister’s retrogressive remarks which contradict and hamstring the efforts being made to end gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
“As a national leader who is supposed to be a role model to young men in society, such statements are likely to influence other men to justify violence against women in the name of culture.
We expect men who are in such trusted positions like Defence Minister, to be at the forefront to protect women and secure the future of our daughters,” the statement read.
The NGOs are demanding that Mwamba shows good and responsible leadership by retracting his utterances and apologising to the nation for such a misleading statement.
However, many other gender activists across the SADC region are calling either for Mwamba’s resignation or that the Zambian government dismiss him from his position as Defence Minister.
Ironically, Mwamba made the remarks at a Brothers for Life corporate breakfast meeting in Lusaka on 22 May.
Brothers for Life is a campaign specifically targeted at men, and this meeting had the specific aim of securing support from the private sector towards in reducing GBV, HIV and irresponsible alcohol consumption.
Richard Delate, Managing Director of Johns Hopkins Health and Education in South Africa, a partner of Brothers for Life, explained that Brothers for Life does not condone the Minister’s statement.
“We urge men across the continent to show love through respect and resolving differences through talking …There is no excuse for violence against women,” Delate said.
Spot on…
What of beating a man?
Since you are too slow to get the point, Paolo I’m pretty sure the idea is that gender based violence of any kind is unacceptable….. most of all for an “honourable” minister to recommend.
we are not bothered please. Leave and let leave. why should I care??
You should care if you are part of human society.
The phrase you are after is “live and let live”.
As for leaving? Sure, I’m not the least bit bothered if you do.
Wife battering is how we Bemba men express love to our wives. The women are not forced to stay in these marriages. Afterall we are a matrilineal society, and the women can leave us alone and go with their children wherever they choose.
Love does not hurt. Anything that hurts is not love period.
Am happy I have a good man,who sees things like me, battering someone is just showing your weakness not been able to be argumentative……. No wonder Zambia is what its today if minister can’t be role models…. Shame…….