VARIOUS messages have been delivered on gender-based violence (GBV) and the effects it has on the victims.
Despite this, the vice has continued to ravage many in numerous parts of the world, Zambia included.
Besides the physical harm GBV is able to cause, there are varying degrees of psychological damage recorded in people experiencing it.
The Global Protection Cluster describes GBV as any harmful act that can be perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially ascribed differences between the male and female.
Although victims of the scourge can be both male and female, surveys conducted so far show that women and children are the most vulnerable.
The media has intensified its awareness on GBV with its main focus on physical abuse.
However, despite the intensive awareness by the media, Zambia continues to grapple with high levels of GBV.
The nation had also joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 days of gender activism against GBV.
The theme for this year was ‘From peace in the home to peace in the nation; empower women and men’.
This is an international campaign which started on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ended on December 10, which is the Human Rights Day.
Different stakeholders, including the Zambia Police Service, have expressed concern over the alarming levels of the vice.
During the period of commemoration, a number of platforms were used to sensitise the public on how best they could avoid domestic violence especially that which is perpetrated in intimate relationships.
Research shows that in Zambia, almost half of all women over the age of 15 have experienced some form of physical violence.
But Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Ndola District Office general secretary Ngosa Malindi says unlike physical abuse, psychological damage is the worst kind of abuse and has serious consequences if not addressed early.
“When people think of domestic abuse, they often picture battered women or men that have had hot cooking oil or porridge poured on them,” Mrs Malindi says.
Research refers to psychological abuse, also known as emotional or mental abuse, as a form of abuse characterised by a person subjecting or exposing another to behaviour that may result in psychological trauma which may include anxiety, chronic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Furthermore, this abuse is often associated with situations of power imbalances such as abusive relationships, bullying and abuse in the work-place.
Psychological abuse is said to be common, yet few people understand the definition of psychological abuse enough to spot it.
Mrs Malindi says the YMCA has played a major role in sensitising the public about GBV, with schools and churches having been the primary focus.
“We have partnered with basic schools and churches such as the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) who had invited us to conduct awareness talks,” she said in an interview.
The YMCA had also offered hands-on counselling to those that have been affected by GBV.
However, Mrs Malindi said in situations where the association could not handle, such as providing legal services, victims have been transferred to the National Legal Clinic for Women for further assistance.
As an association, the YMCA realised the importance of bringing more people on board, starting from the family, which is an important unit.
Due to this, the association has partnered with the Zambia Postal Services with the aim of reaching out to those affected.
Mrs Malindi said YMCA is a membership-driven organisation whose focus is on young people, hence the need to offer them the appropriate training.
She, however, said the percentage of men who report cases of abuse is lower than that of women, though the latter are more prone to GBV and only come out when they are in anguish.
It is also not unusual for such cases to be withdrawn, a situation Mrs Malindi described as unfortunate.
“The media is playing an important role but more needs to be done in order to address the situation effectively, with more discussions on psychological abuse,” she said.
Mrs Malindi said the YMCA is part of the Gender Provincial Committee which had put in place a number of programmes during the commemoration of the just ended 16 days of activism against GBV.
Among some activities, held during the just ended period, the association visited prisons among other places to sensitise in-mates on the dangers of gender-based violence GBV.
In order to address cases of GBV, there is need to focus on the various causes of GBV.
Research shows that most women in Zambia are economically dependent on their partners, a situation that has made them vulnerable to psychological abuse.
Juliana Melgosa, in her book carrying the title ‘Positive Mind, a Practical Guide for Any Situation’, describes emotional dependence as one that may carry the appearance of love and care between two persons but may also be the unfortunate cause of unhappiness.
She further states that emotional dependence occurs when someone clings excessively to another and perceives the relationship as the only way to obtain personal security.
Like the American politician and human rights activist Eleanor Roosevelt quotes, it is necessary to always remember that one does not only have the right to be an individual, but an obligation to be one.
Therefore, effective campaigns should be scaled up by bringing everyone on board, and putting in place sensitisation campaigns so as to encourage survivors to open up and restore self-esteem in them.
With more sensitisation campaigns, Zambia can win the fight against GBV and bring healing to the women and men who are suffering silently in their homes.