By NCHIMUNYA MIYOBA
Copperbelt province has recorded a total of 261 cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 323 cases in 2018.
Speaking in an interview in Kitwe today, Young Women Christian Association of Zambia (YWCA) Copperbelt regional Coordinator Sharon Chisanga disclosed that the numbers of GBV cases has remained constant despite massive awareness from the association.
Ms Chisanga said the high cases of GBV in the province are still worrying adding that there is need for partners in a relationship to learn to communicate so as to reduce the number of GBV cases.
Ms Chisanga noted that the change in figures compared to last year could be because most centres in the province where closed for a month as workers where undergoing training.
She added that statistics indicate that cases are not reducing despite awareness programs that are in place.
“The cases of GBV are still on the worrying side as seen by the numbers. I can safely say that these numbers are constant despite a number of awareness programs more so because most centres in the province were closed as workers where undergoing training,” she said.
Ms Chisanga said there is need for people to adhere to advocacy in fight of GBV if the numbers have to drastically reduce.
She urged couples and those in relationships to exercise maximum restrain when faced with difficulties than resorting to physical fighting as dialogue is the only way to curb the rising numbers of GBV.
