Violence Against Women
Source: The Post Online
WOMEN and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) acting national coordinator Hope Kumalo says the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act has the potential to address gender violence in communities.
During a sensitisation workshop organised by Zambia Media Women Association in Kabwe, Kumalo observed that the newly-enacted piece of legislation, if effectively implemented, had the potential to adequately address gender based violence.
"The Anti-Gender Based Violence Act has the potential to fight gender-based violence. For instance, it provides that economic abuse is an offence and it does provide for protection orders where victims of GBV gender-based violence are separated from perpetrators.
It also provides that government builds shelters of safety for victims," Kumalo explained. "So it is a good law that has the potential to adequately address gender-based violence in communities."
And Kumalo observed that key stakeholders in the fight against-gender based violence were faced with numerous challenges.
"Police VSU victim support unit is often the first contact by victims. Police have their own challenges including resource constraints that affect the ability of its officers to respond and follow up effectively all cases. The issue of officers 'personalising dockets' – sometimes with consent from both parties but sometimes suspects instigate this so that they can force a reconciliation.
Ultimately, most times police end up playing a mediatory role rather than an investigative one," said Kumalo. "Other issues have to do with victims withdrawing cases before they reach court and not bringing the medical report back to the police after being examined.
This is because sometimes relatives of the suspect and the complaint have reconciled with police knowledge. In such instances, the medical report is used as a 'ransom' so that there is compensation between the alleged defiler and the complainant's family."
Meanwhile, Kabwe General Hospital head of department for obstetrics and gynecology Dr Job Mwanza observed that the fight against gender-based violence needed a multi-disciplinary approach.
"Gender-based violence is a global problem. Girls are more likely than boys to be sexually abused; however boys are less likely to report sexual abuse," said Dr Mwanza. "Sexual violence is only a health issue but needs a multi-disciplinary management approach. It needs concerted efforts from all stakeholders; the police, the courts of law and other civil society groups.
We can do this alone. Sexual violence against girls is a common problem among us but only a few are reported thus limiting access to health care. Together we can stop the stigma and ensure that survivors access quality service."