THE fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) needs concerted efforts from all Zambians if the vice is to be rooted out from society.
Admittedly, many women and men alike have suffered at the hands of the abusers some of whom have even lost their lives.
To this end, it is important to note that victims of GBV, apart from being affected physically are also affected psychologically and socially after the abuse.
Social effects of GBV on the victim include rejection and stigmatization while psychological trauma is known as one of the negative effects on some of the GBV victims.
Agreeably, apart from some of the victims experiencing psychological or social effects, victims most of whom suffer in silence are also prevented from uplifting themselves while in some cases are prevented from contributing positively to the development of the country in their own way.
It is against this back ground, that there is need for concerted efforts in the fight against GBV to root out the vice out completely from the Zambian society as it does not build, but destroys.
Really, it is in this regard, that the first lady Dr Christine Kaseba’s efforts in the fight against GBV are an encouragement.
The action by Dr Kaseba to donate 150 bicycles to headmen trained to curb GBV in chief Chikata’s area should indeed be emulated.
The first lady in a speech read on her behalf by Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV and AIDS Zambian chapter programme coordinator Mildred Chuumbwe said the donation of bicycles marked the beginning of the vigorous fight against GBV in the area.
Not too long ago, Dr Kaseba and her team had conducted training on how to fight GBV for headmen and some community members in chief Chikata’s area.
With the donation of bicycles, an appeal can only be made to those trained to ensure that women and men alike in the area are educated on their rights.
There is need for women to be educated that violence against them is illegal, immoral and unacceptable.
On the other hand, men and women alike need to have knowledge of the institutions through which they can seek redress in cases of GBV.
However, as efforts to curb GBV in the Zambian society take sharp it also important that negative behaviours that promote GBV in society are done away with.
Further, in an effort to root out the vice completely, socializing children (boys and girls) in ways that would promote respect among individuals persons would be a step in the right direction.
In conclusion, an appeal can only be made to the corporate world and other organisations to partner in the fight against GBV in the country.
Scoring success against GBV, needs concerted efforts.
At this point, I would like to draw your attention to a reaction from a reader in response to what was carried out on the column last week.
Hi Nakubiana,
Your observations on the moral standards in Zambia were well spelt out. We have a serious problem in this area.
Like is the case with pupils on the Copperbelt holding a sex party, there seems to be a huge gap between parental guidance and teacher guidance.
For example, when pupils closed schools on Friday, we saw an influx of under age children in night clubs.
The problem is that pupils leave their respective schools on Friday and only reach their homes the following week.
It takes a day for one to travel for instance, from Chipata to Lusaka, so why are we allowing a situation where a child delays reaching home and we seem not to be bothered about it?
School authorities must ensure that pupils leave school immediately after closing and parents should receive the pupils the same day.
At the moment there is a huge gap and pupils are taking advantage.
Bruno,
Chipata

For comments nanamufaya@gmail.com