'STEP UP FIGHT AGAINST GBV'

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 14:05:00 +0000

By Annie Zulu

STAKEHOLDERS have been advised to strengthen their partnership with government in ending Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child marriage in Zambia.

Gender activist Gladys Mutukwa said there was need for concerted and collective efforts if the two vices were to become a thing of the past, has said.

 “Everybody has a role to play in this; we should not just leave it to government alone to handle. We all need to work together with government and brainstorm on how we can put all this to an end, we need to strengthen our partnership with Govenment,” Ms Mutukwa said.

She noted that Government had made tremendous strides in dealing with issues of child marriage and GBV.

According to the Ministry of Gender, Government has put up various interventions towards the fight against GBV and child marriage in Zambia.

Ms Mutukwa commended Government on its efforts in fighting vices which endanger the lives of women and girls.

She pointed out the establishment of GBV fast-track courts, the Gender Equity and Equality Act and engagement of traditional leaders among others, as efforts that the government had made.

“Child marriage and GBV are serious challenges that require political will and on behalf of the women, we are very grateful to government for making progressive strides towards ending such vices affecting women and girls in Zambia,” she said.

Ms Mutukwa said she was also confident that once all programmes that government had initiated were implemented, the country would see a reduction in cases of GBV and child marriage.