Limata calls for extra effort in GBV fight

—–Government has advised  Mkushi residents  to reinvigorate the campaign to curb social scourges such as Gender Based Violence (GBV), defilement and other forms of sexual violence.

Deputy Minister for Gender and Child Development, Josephine Limata, sounded the advice when she addressed women clubs in Nkolonga area of Mkushi District yesterday.

Ms Limata explained that the renewed energy to stamp out GBV and defilement in the communities was amongst the PF government’s measures that aimed at protecting and upholding the rights of women and children.

She directed the police command in Mkushi district to take a firm stance in applying the law relating to GBV and defilement and sexual violence, adding that the Ministry of Gender and Child Development would be closely monitoring progress reports on this matter.

The Gender Deputy Minister said similar vigor would be applied towards enforcing the law in matters pertaining to child labour, early marriages and cases of property grabbing.

Ms Limata stated that the PF government would not relent in efforts that aimed at protecting the vulnerable sectors of society such as women and children.

She observed that poverty was among the most widespread factors that had been identified with situations that made social scourges prevalent.

She pointed out that to this effect government had put in place financial empowerment schemes that are meant to address the issue of poverty, adding that women were the most affected by this factor.

Ms Limata announced that government had set aside money for 20 women clubs to benefit from empowerment funds that are being administered by her ministry.

She said her ministry was working through key partner departments such as Community Development, Social Welfare, District Education Board as well as District Administration.

She said it was important for women clubs to pursue these funds seriously by completing the application procedures quickly.

Ms Limata reiterated that the PF government was doing everything possible to mitigate issues that negatively affected widespread poverty among women, saying her ministry was committed to addressing these problems in the quest to achieve gender equity.