State acts to stem GBV

By SIMON MUNTEMBA GOVERNMENT says it was strengthening the fight to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and early marriages by reviewing legislation.

Meanwhile, the ministry of General Education acting permanent secretary, Mr Louis Mwansa said it was making efforts to establish structures that would deal with GBV in a holistic manner in line with supporting structures.

Mr Mwansa said this in Lusaka when he officiated at this year's 16 Days activism against GBV sensitisation meeting for staff in the ministry.

This years' 16 Days GBV sensitisation meeting which started on Tuesday 28 is themed, "Leave no one behind; end GBV now."

Mr Mwansa said government wants to introduce more fast track courts in all provinces to ensure justice prevails within the shortest possible time.

He observed that the 16 Days activism against GBV was a time to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

He said with the increased statistics of reported GVB in Zambia, the ministry was doing everything possible to end it.

"In order to therefore deal with such issues, the ministry is making efforts to establish structures that would deal with GBV in a holistic manner in line with supporting struc tures," Mr Mwansa said.

He also said the ministry has responded to GBV with enthusiasm by organising such meetings to ensure it looked at GBV and how it could be tackled.

He added that GBV can be fought in different facets of life including in homes as the old adage says, "charity begins at home."

Mr Mwansa pointed out that the intention of the sensitisation meeting was to stir up and make people conscious of what contribution they could make during and after the 16 Days of activism against GBV.

"We witnessed in the media how people resort to killing each other, including children, to resolve marital disputes.

“The fact that such cases are on the rise, we cannot bury our heads in the sand and hope the problem will just go away, we need to look at ways of making people cope when faced with social problems," Mr Mwansa stated.

He added that GBV encompasses many aspects including abuse which can lead to physical, mental or emotional trauma.

Mr Mwansa reiterated that a sensitisation meeting should act as a lens which people should employ to examine their own relationships at work, friends and family.

He urged the participants to ensure that their homes were a safe haven to children, men and women.