Human Rights of Women
The 2011 progress report of the Millennium Development Goals shows millions have been lifted out of poverty while more go to school. But the UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon cautions: "we still have a long way to go in empowering women and girls, promoting sustainable development, and protecting the most vulnerable."
Women in Law in Southern Africa (WILSA) working in Zambia, believes prevention is important in reducing the number of women who become victims of gender-based violence. Rudo Chingobe Mooba says the media can play an important role in raising awareness of risks and dangers as well as in influencing public opinion and policies that protect the rights of women.
"As WILSA, I think we have a major challenge in trying to achieve the Millennium Development Goals that look at the promotion of maternal health care, child mortality as well as gender issues, which hinge directly on gender-based violence."
Rudo is worried that a number of gender-based violence cases occur in marriages. A situation she says "poses a threat to stopping gender-based violence, notwithstanding the issues of HIV/AIDS which stand at 16% in Zambia."
"If women are so exposed to gender-based violence, then we look at how vulnerable they are to contracting HIV/AIDS."
According to the recent Zambia's Demographic Health Survey, 53% of women experience abuse of some sort and a quarter of these abuse attested to the fact that they have been involved in physical gender-based violence.
WILSA notes that traditional beliefs also exacerbate gender-based violence. "Zambia which is very much male dominated creates further challenges in dealing with gender-based violence," Rudo says.
Rudo says her organisation's main work is in prevention. She says this is one way of "fostering an environment where women can be able to walk with dignity and pride."
"When we have these sensitisation meetings, the media becomes very crucial. We have worked with different stakeholders at different levels as Women and Law in Southern Africa; we have worked with traditional leaders," she adds.
Women and Law in Southern Africa (WILSA) notes that their work is hampered by traditional beliefs. Rudo says "women would not like to talk about gender-based violence because by doing so you are attacking tradition." She says "the moment you attack culture and tradition, you become unpopular with even policy makers who are the custodians of these traditions and cultures."
Gender-based violence has long been recognized as a problem all over the world. Although it affects both males and females, women and children are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence due to various factors. In many cases, gender-based violence culminates into injury and loss of human life. In particular, sexual gender-based violence has become a major health concern, causing not only physical but also emotional and psychological harm to its victims. In the era of HIV and AIDS and considering all the serious consequences associated with the pandemic, there is great need to urgently address the situation.
The Zambian parliament passed the Anti Gender-Based Violence Act in response to a long-standing recommendation to enact legislation that specifically addresses gender-based violence.
President Rupiah Banda signed the new Gender-Based Violence Amendment Act on April 12, 2011 which is meant to address the abuse of not only women but men as well.
Todd Chilembo, Deputy Minister of Legal Affairs, said the enactment of the law had proved government's commitment to the protection of women's rights hence the decision to assent to the bill, adding that government was aware of the various injustices women have experienced at the hands of men and that with the enactment of the law, the abuses will be addressed.