Change of mindset vital to GBV fight

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:26:40 +0000

By MARY KACHEPA

Ms Lungu said that the fight against gender-based violence is for everyone because the blame game would not help combat the vice in anyway.

Commenting on a recent statement by Action Governance Forum executive director Justine Mushoke that it was not acceptable that gender-based violence cases have continued to rise despite the Government and partners signing agreements for more funding.

Mr Mushoke said that organisations fighting gender-based violence must show commitment if the vice was to reduce in the country because it was unfortunate that the cases were escalating, yet more institutions were established to fight the scourge.

Ms Lungu, however, said that GBV is a national challenge in many aspects and pointing fingers would not help anyone.

“The blame game will not take us anywhere but pointing out the flaws and sharing solutions is progressive,” she explained.

She further explained that there were so many angles to fighting GBV because there is a continuous discovery of the forms and strategies.

“For example, YWCA has a story to tell on that because this year we are 60 years old and the footsteps can be traced indicating the emergency of all types of gender-based violence and  we continue to discover and  at the same time strategies change,” she explained.

Ms Lungu called on all well-meaning citizens to show interest and get involved in the fight against the scourge.

“If people can see a neighbour experiencing violence and they decide that they do not want to come out in the open, they can explain to them the effects of violence when left unchecked.

“Parents need to take an exemplary approach and also talk to the children while they were still young because when they grow old, they will not depart from it,” she explained.