GBV cases rise in Kitwe

CASES of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Kitwe have continued to rise with a total number of more than 400 victims,'' Trauma Healing executive Director Jurita Mutale has said.

Ms Mutale said the rate of GBV cases in Kitwe on the Copperbelt have reached an alarming proportions with a total number of more than 400 victims.

Ms Mutale said in an interview in Kitwe that the rate at which the vice was moving was of great concern to the organization and so needed concerted efforts from various stakeholders in order to effectively deal with it.

"The district has recorded about 404 GBV cases and I can tell you that this number would go up once everything is compiled for the year. The rate at which we are seeing these GBV cases increase in the district is of great concern.

“The case record is as follows,183 were women,43 men while 178 were children so from here we can actually see that women and children are the most affected which we need to work hard and not only wait for the law to take its cause.

"Yes, it is of great concern which every right thinking person should get worried about it. From the way things are moving, we are going to record a bigger number this year as compared to last year because of rate at which its moving, ”Ms Mutale said.

Ms Mutale said from January to September 2017 the district has recorded 404 as compared to last year where it recorded 445.

She said this year cases are likely to be close to 500 once finalised for October, November and December.

Ms Mutale attributed this year’s increase of the vice to rampant extra marital affairs among couples which led to violence.

She said violence had become the order of the day because some married couples were failing to communicate effectively whenever they had misunderstandings.

Ms Mutale said the organisation had continued on a massive sensitization exercise to raise awareness on the dangers of GBV and human rights in the 16 days of gender activism.