Violence Against Women
Source: Times of Zambia
THE United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) has welcomed progress that Zambia and other countries have made in addressing violence against women and girls. The international body is happy that countries have made progress through various national laws and policies.
Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina said this at a media briefing to inform the nation on the outcome of the recently-held 57th Session of the UNCSW in New York.
The minister said the Government recently enacted the Anti-gender Based Violence Act No. 1 of 2011, launched the zero tolerance campaign against gender-based violence and ratified the Southern African Development Community protocol on gender and development.
Ms Wina said Zambia during the session showcased that the Anti-gender Based Violence Act was in place and provided for a fund.
She said the Government reaffirmed the international commitment to women's rights such as the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform Action.
The UNCSW is an annual event and a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, which is a global policy making body dedicated exclusively to promoting gender equality and empowerment of women.
The commission consists of 45 members elected for a period of four years and the current chair of the bureau is Marjon Kamara of Liberia.