During the first quarter of 2024, Zambia Police recorded a total number of 9,700 Lusaka Province recorded the highest GBV criminal cases with 2,278 followed by Western Province that recorded 988 cases, according to a quarterly report released by the Zambia police.
According to Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga in addition, Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of child defilement cases of 234 followed by Eastern Province which recorded a total number of 100 defilement cases.
He further says that 2024 first quarter GBV disaggregated data indicate that 2,536 child victims were abused countrywide representing 26.1% of all the victims of Gender Based Violence.
Mr. Hamoonga says out of 2,536 children, 2,130 were abused representing 84% in the criminal cases category comprising of 546 boys representing 25.6% and 1,584 were girls representing 74.3%. 406 representing 16% were abused under the non-criminal cases category, comprising of 183 boys representing 45% and 223 were girls representing 55%.
He says a total number of 7,164 adults were abused countrywide representing 73.9% of all the victims of GBV, of which 5,679 were women while 1,485 were men, representing 79.3% and 20.7% respectively. 4,836 representing 67. % were abused under the criminal cases category.
Mr. Hamoonga says while 2,328 representing 32.5% were abused under the non-criminal cases category.
He says out of the 1,485 men abused, 785 were under the criminal cases category representing 52.9% while 700 were under non-criminal cases category representing 471%.
Mr. Hamoonga says in terms of gender vulnerability, a total number of 7,486 females representing 77.1% and 2,214 males representing 22.9% were abused countrywide during the period under review.