Source: AllAfrica
As Zambia joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 days of the campaign against sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), there is need to take stock of what changes have taken place so far so that this period makes a difference in the country.

Anything short of this, celebrations will remain the same without yielding any tangible results in as far as reducing cases of GBV is concerned.

Year in year out, all that we see are just various organisations conducting match-pasts in their pomp and splendour clad in either fashionable chitenge outfits or fancy designed T-shirts, yet?statistics of GBV continue sky-rocketing.

Yes, themes can change annually but do we see much change being recorded in reducing the cases of GBV?

That's a one-million-dollar question. Besides, many activities have been lined up as usual across the nation.

We salute the late President for taking a leading role in championing the course to root out GBV.

Currently, the Zambian Government has partnered with the United Nations (UN) in a scheme referred to as 'Joint Programme on GBV' whose goal is to reduce GBV in Zambia, as well as establish an integrated and multi-sectoral mechanism for the implementation of the Anti-GBV?Act.

More efforts need to be made in ensuring that there is also monitoring and evaluation by those charged with this responsibility.

As earlier argued, the Government may play its part quite alright but as the UN-Zambia Joint Programme on GBV, the goal is to contribute to the reduction of GBV in Zambia, as well as establish an integrated and multi-sectoral mechanism for the implementation of the Anti-GBV Act.

The UN-Zambia Joint Programme on GBV envisages outcomes such as GBV survivors having increased access to timely and appropriate health services and to have increased access to protection and support services.

As the period progresses, one wonders whether organisations involved take much pleasure in seeing these statistics increasing without much change for their own benefits.

Yes, the Judiciary can mete out stiff punishment on the culprits but still there is not much change taking place.?On the part of the Government, it is inevitable to put in place stringent policy measures to curb the vice.

While the Government is playing its role, NGOs should on the other hand ensure that these efforts are supplemented to move smoothly.

Over the years not much research has been conducted to find a lasting solution to cases of GBV.

Many lives are being lost as a result of GBV involving women, men and children while cases of defilement and early marriages are becoming the order of the day.

In a speech read for her by director of gender rights and protection Pumulo Mundale, Permanent Secretary Daisy Ng'ambi shared the views that the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV would raise awareness and educate the general public about GBV as a human rights issue at local,?national, regional and international levels.

For NGOs, perhaps it is high time that they changed their course of action to fighting the scourge.

As a nation, let us come up with our own home-grown solutions to GBV through research conducted in institutions of higher learning such as the University of Zambia and the Copperbelt University.

• Zambia