Rising cases of GBV amid interventions sadden NGOCC

The Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has bemoaned the continued rise in the number of gender based violence (GBV) cases in the country.

Council Board Chairperson Beatrice Grillo told ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today that GBV was not only affecting the present generation but was also robbing the nation of its future leaders.

She said it was sad that some of the GBV cases were resulting in deaths adding that every life lost was also a loss to the family of the victim and to the country at large.

Ms. Grillo added that GBV was furthermore affecting the nation’s development because some of the victims that get emotionally affected are those who contribute to the country’s productivity.

She said much as it was appreciated that people were now coming out in open to report GBV cases, more still needed to be done about in order to reverse the upward trend.

She said the increase in reported GBV cases was well appreciated because it shows that more people were now aware of the vice.

Ms. Grillo said there was however still need for continued sensitisation on GBV while efforts to stiffen penalties against the perpetrators should be intensified.

She was nevertheless grateful that government, through the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, was processing laws that were aimed at making GBV cases fast track in courts.

Zambia has continued to record high cases of gender based violence some of which result loss of lives despite sensitisation against the crime.