Various Stakeholders involved in the fight against Gender-based Violence (GBV) in Mwense District have called for the presence of safe houses for GBV survivors.
During a technical meeting held in the district, some concerned stakeholders observed and bemoaned the lack of safe houses, a situation they say puts the lives of the GBV survivors at risk.
ZANIS reports that stakeholders who include the Zambia Police, Ministry of Health, the Local Authority, the National Prosecution Authority, Ministry of Community Development and the District Administration Office have also noted with concern the lack of safe houses and holding cells for females at Mwense Police station.
And Zambia Center for Communication Program- ZCCP Kwatu one-stop Coordinator Oscar Champo cited limited funding allocated for operations at the centre as a challenge to effectively carry out planned anti-GBV activities.
Mr. Champo explained that female survivors are in some cases kept at the reception of the police station whenever they go to report GBV cases.
“Keeping the survivors at the reception is not ideal but due to safety reasons for the victims, we have no choice as we also fear to send them back to their homes soon after they report the cases,” Mr. Champo said.
He further disclosed limited transport was also making it difficult for the centre to promptly respond to calls of distress adding that Mwense District is Vast and needed adequate transport Anti-GBV operations.
And Chairperson for the technical Committee on GBV Philip Muonga urged the ministries of health and community development to solicit for the construction of a safe shelter under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
“I wish to thank you all for your commitment to the fight against GBV as stakeholders. Let’s continue to work together as a government through its Gender Division remains keen to protect those that are vulnerable to GBV,” Mr. Muonga said.
Mr. Muonga who is also the District Administrative Officer also called for concerted efforts in the fight against GBV.
