By KALONDE NYATI
WOMEN in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) has said alcohol abuse and failure to stiffen laws regarding gender-based violence (GBV) have contributed to the increase in the cases, adding that there is need to quickly implement the anti-GBV Act.
WiLDAF regional co-ordinator Gladys Mutukwa said stiffening the law on GBV will go a long way in deterring offenders.
She described the recent cases of brutality against women as a national crisis that needs concerted efforts by all stakeholders if it is to be rooted out.
Ms Mutukwa said the church, traditional leaders, counsellors, law enforcement agencies and academic institutions have a role to play in the fight against gender-based violence in the country.
Ms Mutukwa said in an interview that it is sad that cases of GBV are on the increase despite Zambia being a Christian nation, adding that Christian values are against violence.
The media have in the recent past reported cases of women being battered and murdered by their spouses with the latest being the murdering of a 17-year-old pregnant woman in Kabwe.
“Why should we be called a Christian nation when there is so much ‘demonic’ rage? WiLDAF is saddened with the vice,” she said.
She said WiLDAF will work closely with various stakeholders to sensitise communities on the effects of GBV and carry out sensitisation programmes on the anti-GBV Act.
Meanwhile, traditional analyst Dickson Chasaya said the Zambian society has been eroded by some foreign cultures that do not uphold women’s rights.
Mr Chasaya said this has resulted in women being abused by their spouses.
“This is a new phenomenon and has come about because of leading immoral lifestyles and copying foreign cultures. We need to prevent the vice by upholding our traditional and Christian values,” he said.
Mr Chasaya also called on Government to quickly implement the anti-GBV Act.

http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/index.php/politics/2715-alcohol-abuse-fueling-gbv-says-wildaf