Zambia – National Men’s Network Trains Community Champions to Deal with Gender-Based Violence
Author: WUNRN
Date: January 2, 2018
09 November 2017 – The Zambia National Men‘s Network has trained 74 men and women as anti GBV champions (28 women and 46 men), who will undertake the role of sensitizing communities and reporting GBV cases in Chilanga, Chaisa, Chongwe and Rufunsa to the police. The men and women were drawn from different CSOs- Churches, community members, traditional leaders including the police service.
The objectives of the training were to mobilize and train community members to combat GBV, creation of a platforms to tackle GBV in the target communities, engage the leaders to take their role in the fight against GBV, create awareness of Gender based violence, the anti GBV law and other related laws and to understand and appreciate the urgent need to fight GBV in the communities.
ZNMN has observed with sadness the increasing number of violent related deaths among young couples. This is attributed to inadequate preparations for young couples who rash into marriage without taking time to know each other well. Young couples who intend to get into marriage should take time to know their partners so that each one of them can make informed decisions. In addition, families should counsel their children before they get into marriages and share with them information about gender violence, and the importance of communication and respecting each other without resorting to violent behahiours which has implication on family and the society as a whole.
The participants were urged to challenge their socialization processes that demean women such as negative cultural values that violate women and girls such as early and forced marriages. Among the topics covered include sexual offences, impact of GBV on women and families, the importance of reporting cases to law enforcement. The men and women that have been trained have urged to be role models if they are to change the attitudes of the communities.
Participants pose for a group photo after the training in Chilanga district
ZNMN would like to call on men to speak out against gender based violence in communities. Men have the power and influence over their male counterparts and therefore they should use this power to bring change to tackle violence on women. For a long time men have been watching from the fence and now it is time that they get involved to speak out against violence.
Nelson Banda, Coordinator
Zambia National Men’s Network
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