The Non-governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has noted the decline in reported Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in the first quarter of 2024, as recorded by the Zambia Police, Victim Support Unit (VSU).
According to the VSU, a total number of 9, 700 Gender-Based Violence cases were recorded countrywide for the first quarter of 2024 compared to 10, 797 recorded during the same period last year. The figure indicates a reduction of 1, 097 cases translating to 10.2 per cent.
Out of the 9, 700 reports, 6, 966 were recorded as criminal cases while 2, 734 were non-criminal reports representing 71.8 percent and 28.2 percent respectively. Sadly, 29 murder cases were recorded during the period under review. Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of GBV criminal cases with 2, 278 followed by Western Province which recorded 988 cases.
Further, the downward trend of GBV cases can also be seen in quarter four of 2023, which recorded 11 ,t46 cases translating into a 17.4 percent reduction.
While there is a notable decline in the reported cases of GBV, we know more still needs to be done.
Hence, we recall the theme of 2024 Women’s Day: Invest in Women and Girls: “Accelerate Progress” which challenges the government to invest more to redress the still high GBV cases, especially against women and girls, including those that are unreported and do not feature in these statistics.
We also note the efforts of breaking the culture of silence among GBV victims are bearing fruits as can be seen in the increased reported cases in Western province. Meanwhile, Lusaka continues to record a high number of GBV cases, which indicates the urgent need to double targeted efforts in the province.
Accordingly, we urge the NGOCC member organisations and other like-minded organisations not to relent but to heighten efforts toward the campaign against GBV. This is because, GBV not only negatively affects family life but is also a drain on the country’s resources through loss of productive hours, increased health costs, and unfortunate loss of young lives. All these take away from the achievement of positive development outcomes of the country.
It is against this background that NGOCC Member Organisations are demanding the stiffening of punishment against all perpetrators of GBV to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders and strengthening of proactive measures to prevent these incidences.
Therefore, we urge the government to establish more Fast Track Courts across the country especially in hard-to-reach districts to improve access to justice. We also would like to reiterate the call on the government to fully operationalize the provisions of the Anti-GBV Act by constructing shelters in all the provinces as well as establishing the GBV Fund.
This is according to a statement issued to the media by NGOCC Chairperson Yonga -Sinkamba.
