President Michael Sata has praised the Church in Zambia for their dedicated role in assisting Government fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the nation.
President Sata said the Church in the country should be hailed for partnering with the Ministry of Gender and Child Development in eradicating GBV which has been on the increase in the country.
Mr Sata said this when he officiated at the Inter-Denomination Church Service marking the end of the commemoration of the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence held at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka today.
The Head of State also praised the United Nations System in Zambia which has also contributed greatly in the fight against the vice and urged them to continue with the good gesture.
Mr Sata said the 16 days of activism, which was held on the theme “Gender Based Violence (GBV) Zero Tolerance Now”, was in line with Government’s motives in fighting the ugly vice which he said needed to be tackled as a matter of urgency.
He stressed that Government draws a lot of strength from the support given by the Church in Zambia in trying to eradicate the vice.
“We are, therefore, more determined as Government and the nation at large to stand as one to create peace, harmony, joy and love so that every man, woman, boy or girl feels safer at home, outdoors and anywhere at any time in the nation,” President Sata said.
The Head of State further disclosed that Government has put in place measures in place to address such concerns and more effort is being directed to ensure that safety and peace among people in the nation are secured at all times.
Mr Sata also stressed that the church should continue praying for love, peace, joy and prosperity to continue abiding in all Zambians and residents alike, adding that Gender Based Violence goes against the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.
“As Zambians, we need to defend the human rights of men, women, boys and girls whose lives have been turned upside down due to the painful impact of Gender Based Violence which usually manifest in fear, harm, destruction and murder,” he said.
He noted that such survivors depend on people’s voices so that their suffering and bondage can be removed, not just today, but forever.
And speaking earlier, Minister of Gender and Child Development, Inonge Wina, thanked President Sata for his tireless effort in fighting Gender Based Violence in the country.
Ms Wina said she is optimistic that the Patriotic Front administration will, as a matter of urgency, address the scourge in the quickest possible time.
She said there is no doubt that Government will fulfil the resolutions which were made at the Great Lakes Summit held in June, 2012, which declared zero tolerance to Gender Based Violence among member states.
The Gender Minister also thanked the church and co-operating partners for their marvellous support to Government in fighting the scourge.
Meanwhile, First Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda, said Gender Based Violence should never be tolerated in the country.
Dr Kaunda, who narrated how he loved her 66 year old late wife, Betty, said his late wife was there for him in every situation and urged men and women in the country to emulate such behaviours.
The former Head of State also praised the First Lady, Christine Kaseba Sata, for her dedication in the fight against breast and cervical cancers as well as Gender Based Violence in the country
Dr Kaunda noted that whenever the First lady went for an international gathering outside the country, she always brought glory to the nation due to her marvellous works.
He urged Dr Kaseba to continue supporting her husband as he presides over the affairs of the beautiful nation, Zambia.
And Christian Council of Churches president, Alfred Kalembo, said women have suffered enough at the hands of ruthless husbands and called on those who perpetrate the vice to be dealt with severely.
Dr Kalembo said husbands and wives should learn to love one another if cases of Gender Based Violence were to be eradicated in Zambia.
He said the church should continue fighting the vice until it is eradicated completely in the nation for the victims to be able to enjoy their lives in a peaceful environment.
And Zambia Episcopal Conference Secretary General, Cleopas Lungu, who spoke on behalf of the three church mother bodies, said the church will not rest but continue working with Government and other co-operating partiers in fighting Gender Based Violence in the country.
Fr Lungu appealed to civil societies in the nation not to leave the fight against the vice to the church and Government alone but join hands together in order to win the battle.
He lamented that so many lives of late have been lost in the country and called on all those involved in the scourge to double their efforts in fighting Gender Based Violence.
ZANIS
really!?
Did he mean to say GBM?
kekekeke.. Kabimba has hired Sata to fight GBM…
Yes, Gender Based Violence is unacceptable, equally so is infidelity (adultery) that wrecks marriages. A few weeks ago a well known woman stormed out leaving her husband because of infidelity.
But his wife ran away after a domestic fight because he has a mistress. So what is he saying now? The man is a failure at both national and domestic level. I actually cry to see our country being led by real fools, Sata is defender, GBM goal keeper, Scot midfielder and Kabimba striker in the game of foolishness by dagger smokers. Shame on all the animals who voted for these dogs