Oxfam act to end GBV

YWCA says GBV which has caused many people dead and several others maimed is real

By Francis  Maingaila

(Lusaka 07-12-19) Oxfam and YWCA on Friday held a successful awareness campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV) which took place in Kanyama, one of Zambia’s largest slams situated in the capital, Lusaka.
The campaign which was flooded with Zambia’s top musicians nominated as “I care about her” ambassadors was attended by Gender Minister Elizabeth Phiri who graced the event.
Oxfam Head of Business Services Joseph Yondela told journalists in on the sidelines of the campaign that Oxfam through Women’s Right Programs have been implementing the “I Care About Her” campaign is aim to mobilise and change attitude of men to increase their role in condemning and stopping violence against women and girls.
He said the grassroots campaign involves training and challenging men attitude that propagates violence and how to action to end violence against women.
Yondela believes that men have a crucial role to play in trying to normalise gender inequality.
To supplement the fight against GBV, Yondela said Oxfam has trained over 75 musicians on the aspect of GBV, social norms that perpetuate violence which has been deployed across the country to intensified their campaign against GBV.
He added the efforts are aimed at building a movement that will help to end any form violence which has the capacity to negate the fight for equality in Zambia.
Similarly, YWCA programs officer  Mirriam Mwiinga told journalists that GBV in communities is not only real but has actually led to many people killed while others have been left maimed.
Mwiinga said that GBV come in different forms including physical, emotional and financial.
She advised the people not to hesitate from notifying the police each time they notice it or see it being practices in societies.
She said is for their good to help end violence of any form and create a better a d safer environment for all ti leave in.
She said YWCA has joined sensitisation for the purpose of helping to a civil generation.
And speaking when she graced the awareness campaign in Kanyama Gender Minister Elizabeth Phiri said the government was committed to ending GBV in communities and indeed the whole country.
Phiri who is also Kanyama area Member of Parliament said the quick amdnfirst method of ending GBV was to involve men in the fight.
She said although men are the culprit and the main perpetrators of the vice, they can help to end the vice once given the right tools.
She expressed delight that the campaign against GBV has been decentralised into local communities where she was it was rife.
She also said the involvement of musicians in the fight against GBV was an good idea considering the influence they have in communities.
She also warned against cyber bullying against women and children is also taking a centre route today.