By KASONDE KASONDE –
MORE than five children drop out of school at Kapumba School in Chief Munkonchi’s area in Kapiri Mposhi every term, while more than 10 are absent from school every week due to the rampant cases of GBV in the area.
School head teacher Charles Chifwaya said there were a number of GBV cases in the area that arise from drunkenness which were affecting the children mentally and financially and in the long run increased the number of destitutes in the area.
Mr Chifwaya disclosed this on Thursday when United Nations Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan and Central Province Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale addressed some women groups at the school on GBV.
He said people in the area were not reporting such cases to the police because most of the perpetuators of GBV were usually bread winners. Meanwhile, Ms Rogan has called on victims of GBV to report all cases and not protect the perpetuators of such vices.
Ms Rogan said it was unfortunate that victims of GBV shielded the perpetuators just because they were the bread winners.
She said that is why the UN had decided to launch the one stop shop centre to empower the women in the rural areas with skills and capital for their businesses.
Ms Rogan added that it was sad that children’s right to education was affected by some irresponsible parents who engage in excess drinking and GBV.
She has since called on the parents to act responsibly and ensure that the children enjoy their human rights.
Ms Rogan urged the victims of GBV to report all cases as it would help save lives as well as help reform the perpetuators through counseling.
Speaking earlier, Ms Mutale said Government had intensified women empowerment in the rural areas through club formations and skills training for women.
She said the social welfare department and the victim support units played a major role in educating the womenfork on the dangers of GBV to the community.
Ms Mutale added that the launch of the one stop shop by the UN in rural areas would supplement the Government’s efforts in the fight against GBV.