PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema today joined hundreds of stakeholders in Lusaka to commemorate the national launch of 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

The stakeholders mainly included civil society organisations, the women movement and cooperating partners.

The global commemoration is held annually from 25th November, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day.

The period of activism is being held under the theme; Towards Beijing + 30: Unite to end violence against women and girls.

This year’s global theme underscores the urgent need to address the persistent issue of GBV.

Other dignitaries in attendance were various women in decision making positions such as Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, UN Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali and Gender Division Permanent Secretary, Mainga Kabika.

Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata was also in attendance including Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa.

The event was characterised by entertainment that included music and culture dances, themed around activism.

The Nkwazi drama group performed an emotional play that gripped the audience as the carefully crafted sketch highlighted the death of a woman who was physically abused by her spouse.

The event is timely, as GBV cases have continued to be high in the country with Zambia recording 42,965 cases in 2023.

Additionally, in the three quarters of this year, 29,800 GBV cases have been recorded.

Global stakeholders such as the UN are emphasising accountability steps for ending violence against women and girls, especially leading up to 30 years after the Beijing conference.

The conference culminated into the Beijing Declaration adopted by the UN of which resolution was adopted to promulgate a set of principles concerning the equality of men and women.