By Staff Writer
The Army Ladies Association of Zambia (ALAZ) has called for the concerted efforts in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in society.
ALAZ Patron, Ms Stella Alibuzwi said GBV is a global phenomenon that cuts across all sectors of life and that there is need to nip it in the bud.
She said this today in Lusaka during a ’16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Workshop’ at Army Headquarters in Lusaka.
Mrs Alibuzwi who is also wife to the Zambia Army Commander, Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi noted that GBV has continued to adversely affect girls and women in communities compared to boys and men.
She also noted with concern that GBV, if not addressed, will continue to jeopardise individual freedoms and safety, also stating that it negatively affects the victims’ health because the scourge is associated with HIV/ AIDS and unwanted pregnancies.
“It is for this, and many other reasons that the Zambia Army and the entire Defence Force join the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the International Community in denouncing and finding solutions to GBV ” Mrs Alibuzwi said.
She has since called on all men and women in uniform and the Army Ladies Association of Zambia to join hands in the fight against GBV in the country.
And speaking earlier, Civil Military Affairs Director General, Brigadier General Genoh Muke said the sensitisation programme will cover all Lusaka based Army Units before it is rolled out to all parts of the country.
Brig Gen Muke said the sensitisation programme will go a long way in curbing GBV and its adverse effects on society.
He added that GBV does not only affect girls and women but men and boys too, hence the need to include men on GBV sensitisation programmes.
“Our Branch as Civil-Military Affairs through civil military co-operation endeavours to end or reduce GBV in our cantonments through sensitisation workshops of this nature,” he said.
The workshop which was organised by JHIEPGO Zambia in association with the Defence Force Medical Services HIV/ AIDS Secretariat is part of the activities lined up during the ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is being celebrated under the theme: “Are you safe at home, work or at school?”
