The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has attributed the increase in Gender Based Violence(GBV) cases in the year 2020 to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The organisation has indicated that in the third quarter of 2020 alone, the Zambia Police recorded a total of 7,640 GBV cases countrywide out of which 1,849 were children representing 24.2 percent of all victims with 1,363 being girls.
ZNWL Executive Director Juliet Chibuta in a statement issued to ZANIS today, says the police observed that during the initial stage of the COVID -19, victims of GBV were hesitant to report cases due to restrictions on the movements in the prevention of the spread the pandemic.
The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has urged political parties to sensitize and to encourage women to participate in decision making positions as they are cardinal in the development of the country.
ZNWL Executive Director Juliet Chibuta said people in appointing authority should ensure that women are selected in decision making positions at both political and in public service level in line with the Zambian constitution.
Mrs Chibuta said during a sensitization meeting for women aimed at encouraging participate in decision making positions in Rufunsa district.
Mrs Chibuta cited article 259 of the Zambian Constitution which stipulates that all appointing authorities at whatever level should ensure that there is gender equality in all decision making positions.