Zambia today joined the rest of the world in conducting the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence campaign, whose adapted theme is “From Peace in the Home, to Peace in the Nation: Stop GBV, Empower Women and Men”.
The 16 Days of activism against gender violence is an international campaign commemorated annually from 25 November to December 10.
Acting President, Guy Scott, who graced the ceremony held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, urged the people in the country to institute a citizen’s arrest on perpetrators of GBV.
Dr Scott said the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act No 1 of 2011, empowers people to take interest whenever GBV crimes manifest in local communities.
He said such actions could save lives and contribute to Zambia’s development now and beyond.
He said the theme is appropriate as it empowers women and men, boys and girls in homes guarantee to secure their future.
The Acting Head of State noted that GBV is an economic issue which requires action not just from government but society at large through implementing family values.
And Minister of Gender, Inonge Wina, disclosed that GBV District Task Forces have been instituted in Eastern, Lusaka, Muchinga, Southern and Western provinces in order to effectively fight the scourge.
Ms Wina said the Task Forces would be scaled up in the remaining five provinces in order to raise awareness in rural areas.
She commended the women in the country for their tireless efforts and determination in achieving the enactment of the GBV Act by responding positively to GBV issues.
UN Acting Resident Co-ordinator, Hamid Elbashir, observed that 51 per cent of the Zambian population was not enjoying peace due to violence they allegedly experienced on a daily basis.
Dr Elbashir said the 12, 988 GBV cases recorded from January to September this year were alarming and were still rising.
He pledged UN system’s support to helping the Zambian government eliminate the vice in ensuring that resources were mobilised.
Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ General Secretary, Suzanne Matale, in her homily said GBV was a serious violation of human right.
Rev Matale said the perpetrators of GBV were exhibiting demonic behaviours because they are greedy and selfish instead of saving innocent lives and souls.
Government, through the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, has lined up various activities in commemorating the 16 days of activism.
Proponents of GBV in the nation attended the official commemoration of 16 days of activism against gender violence at the Church.
Start with GBM the presidential hopeful of the Suspended Party of Sata´s PF leftovers.
…just my thoughts!!!
ahhh Scot please,,, now you are telling people to be using chitaala, petrol na machezi
Guy Scott is lucky he has a good woman, because if I compare with my latino lady… she talks talks and talk in Spanish and am in Ng’umbo language… Sometimes I feel like let me just squeeze her … PALYA FYE NATI KANKAMA FYE PA MUKOSHI KALEKE UKULANDA …. and I find myself kissing her!!!
@Ndobo, if Guy Scott pick-up a fight with Charlotte, who wins? Look at him above, look at him… I feel sorry. I will do citizen arrest on Charlotte, and I will take her to my court room and pass my sentence…
this will give Dr kaseba protection. anyonewho speaks about his widowhood will be arrested
This period is a Wounderful time for both private and public media to sensitise the nation. If more news and phone-in programs can carry the GBV message.
As long as most people withdraw cases and reconcile when the perpetrator is the spouse, GBV is here to stay, and no amount of sensitization will change a thing.
That is very true. Battered wife husband running for office lol.
Firstly they PF should stop abusing us as men with the Likes of Luo, kapata and the other women of their party. That male Gender based violence, can we not have a pretty namugala in cabinet please.
ati citizen’s arrest. What about real arrests? ka Guy, I appreciate that at least you are trying to address this serious problem in Zambia, but also put some teeth into it. Encouraging citizen’s arrest is just a path to mob justice and is not going to root out the problem from our society. We should be a nation of laws and the government should enforce strict laws to throw the book at these perpetrators and punish them enough so they think twice before they raise their hand again to beat up a woman.
51% Zambians not enjoying peace in the home UN Rep. Says. How high those numbers. Means most people live next to a wife beater.
Problem in interventions is citizens could be put at risk. Why not just give wives of beaters a little pretty pink pistol to protect themselves! Easy. Done you dirty dog you!
Zambia observer your right. I have always said GBV is broadly framed. The problem in Zambia, like the rest of the world, is domestic violence. Not until the cause is reframed accordingly, it’s a dead fight.