By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO –

ZAMBIA is one of the countries in the world where Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a growing complex phenomenon, Community Development Mother and Child Health Deputy minister Dorothy Kazunga has said.

Ms Kazunga said Zambia was one of the countries with trends that indicated that GBV cases were on the increase.

“In Zambia, there are reported cases of abuse daily. For instance 42 per cent among women aged 20-24 got married at an early age of 18

years. The vice has devastating consequences and far reaching effects not only to individuals who fall prey to abuse but also to their

families, the community and society at large,” she said.

The minister was speaking in Lusaka at the handover of computers and printers worth almost K80 000 aimed at improving operations and

storage of data at One Stop Centres (OSCs) in some parts of the country.

Currently, OSCs being spearheaded by the World Vision in an effort to combat GBV are in 16 districts namely, Chipata, Nyimba, Livingstone,

Mazabuka, Kalomo, Monze, Lusaka, Chibombo, Kabwe, Mumbwa, Kitwe, Ndola, Chingola, Luanshya, Mpika and Solwezi .

Government had made major strides to curb GBV that including putting in place the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act No.1 and revision of the Gender National Policy among others.

“As we mark the end of the commemoration of 16 days of activism against GBV, I would like to urge everyone to renew strength in the fight against GBV to ensure that Zambia reaches zero tolerance on GBV,” she said.

World Vision Zambia, National Director Michael Veitenhans said the NGO would continue supplementing Government’s efforts to ensure survivors of GBV were effectively supported through the GBV survivor support project.

Mr Veitenhans expressed confidence that the project would reach out to more survivors of GBV as a result of collaborations.

The donation would facilitate administrative operations of OSCs for survivors of GBV in the beneficiary districts.