From ALEX NJOVU and CHRISTINE CHISHA in Windhoek
THE United Nations (UN) has called for concerted efforts in curbing the increasing cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
THE United Nations (UN) has called for concerted efforts in curbing the increasing cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
United Nations Entity for Gender Equity and Empowerment of Women
(UNWIMEN) senior advisor Patricia Made says there is need for various
stakeholders to step up efforts in fighting violence against women and
children in society.
She was speaking when she addressed SADC journalists attending the Journalism Summer School (JSS) sponsored by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) at the Polytechnic School of Namibia yesterday.
Mrs Made said SADC countries are losing billions of dollars because of GBV.
She said violence against women and children is having a negative effect on the performance of various economies in the region.
Mrs Made said it is sad that many women and children have died at the hands of some cruel men who don’t have respect for human life.
“A lot of countries in SADC are losing billions of dollars because of GBV.
According to a research conducted recently, economies are being affected in a negative way. Violence against women and children must stop because it slows economic and social development communities,” she said.
Mrs Made said time has come for governments in the region to devise new strategies on curbing the increasing cases of GBV.
She called on women to be brave and report gender violence cases to relevant authorities.
“Our women must help us…. they must not protect perpetrators of violence by withdrawing GBV cases once they are reported to the police or any government security wings. They must work with the police in ensuring that men who abuse women are caged, including those who sexually harass women at places of work,” she said.
Mrs Made commended the Zambian government for its continued efforts in fighting GBV.
She said Zambia has continued to employ polices aimed at fighting GBV and urged various stakeholders in Zambia to continue working with the government in coming up with lasting solutions to GBV.
She was speaking when she addressed SADC journalists attending the Journalism Summer School (JSS) sponsored by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) at the Polytechnic School of Namibia yesterday.
Mrs Made said SADC countries are losing billions of dollars because of GBV.
She said violence against women and children is having a negative effect on the performance of various economies in the region.
Mrs Made said it is sad that many women and children have died at the hands of some cruel men who don’t have respect for human life.
“A lot of countries in SADC are losing billions of dollars because of GBV.
According to a research conducted recently, economies are being affected in a negative way. Violence against women and children must stop because it slows economic and social development communities,” she said.
Mrs Made said time has come for governments in the region to devise new strategies on curbing the increasing cases of GBV.
She called on women to be brave and report gender violence cases to relevant authorities.
“Our women must help us…. they must not protect perpetrators of violence by withdrawing GBV cases once they are reported to the police or any government security wings. They must work with the police in ensuring that men who abuse women are caged, including those who sexually harass women at places of work,” she said.
Mrs Made commended the Zambian government for its continued efforts in fighting GBV.
She said Zambia has continued to employ polices aimed at fighting GBV and urged various stakeholders in Zambia to continue working with the government in coming up with lasting solutions to GBV.
