Chasefu chiefs ready to implement GBV, child protection programmes

TRADITIONAL leaders in Chasefu have welcomed Government’s decision to roll-out Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child protection campaigns in chiefdoms.

Senior Chief Magodi and Chief Phikamalaza are both impressed with the programmes that will help reduce GBV cases, early marriages, child abuse and school dropouts among their subjects.

The two traditional leaders said this when members of Gender Subcommittee and Child Protection Committee led by acting District Commissioner, Diana Lupiya, paid courtesy calls on chiefs at their respective palaces yesterday.

This was before the subcommittee met village headmen to sensitise them about GBV and child protection campaigns that are being prepared for their chiefdoms.

Senior Chief Magodi said these programmes will only yield positive results if government protects traditional leaders against being dragged to court by their subjects when they (chiefs) intervene in resolving their family affairs.

"In case of early marriages, as a chief if you come in to handle the matter, parents to the victim ask you, is this your child and later challenge you in court which is not supposed to be the case," he said.

The Senior Chief noted that poverty is one of the major contributing factors of school drop-outs and early marriages among his subjects.

He said government should address the issues of dropouts and early marriages by providing long term solutions.

Senior Chief Magodi has promised to emulate chief Madzimawe whom he described as his role model by ensuring zero tolerance to GBV and child abuse in his chiefdom once the programme is rolled out.

And Chief Phikamalaza said his subjects were not very knowledgeable about the issues of GBV and child protection.

He however noted that it was his responsibility as a chief to ensure that his subjects receive equal treatment and are well sensitised on GBV and child protection matters.

"During sensitisation, I urge you to explain in detail to my subjects without leaving anything so that they understand the concepts," he said.

Chief Phikamalaza also said women must endeavour to respect their husbands, despite having equal rights.

Meanwhile, Child Protection Committee Secretary, Ozias Banda, who is also Chasefu District Social Welfare Officer, said community child protection committees will be formed to report GBV and child abuses once the programmes are rolled out.