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Government, in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), has launched a One-Stop-Gender Based Violence (GBV) survivor support centre at Ng’ombe Clinic in Lusaka.
The centre will provide prompt and comprehensive services to survivors of gender based violence.
Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health Emerine Kabanshi said the center will provide a coordinated and integrated way of responding to GBV through the provision of a network of services.
Ms. Kabanshi said this in a speech read on her behalf by Director of Safe Motherhood in her ministry, Loyce Munthali at the launch of the centre April 24th.
The One-Stop-Centre, which has been constructed at cost of about K120, 000 is the eight centre in the country and will be administered by World Vision Zambia to provide medical, legal and counselling services in one location.
And a first ever GBV forensic laboratory will be set up in the country with support from USAID to provide clinical screening, laboratory testing and follow up services for sexually abused survivors of GBV and provide evidence for prosecution of perpetrators.
Meanwhile, World Vision Zambia Director Mike Veitenhans disclosed that 8, 755 survivors of gender based violence have received GBV treatment across the country through the GBV survivor support project.
And the USAID and DFID have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide additional US$ 10.2 million funds to fight gender based violence and give survivors greater access to clinical services.
The supplementary funds from the US President’s Emergency Fund For Aids Relief (PEPFAR) and Department for International Development (DFID) will support the establishment of six more One-Stop GBV Centres across the country.
USAID Zambia Mission Director Susan Brems said the centre was projected to reach 31,500 survivors.
Dr. Brems said additional support will be given to 24 districts to carry out actions to fight gender based violence.
And Head of DFID in Zambia, Kevin Quinlan said the British government was pleased to support the Zambian government’s efforts to eliminate gender based violence in the country.
