By SARAH MWANZA –
THE Police command has called on officers to familiarise themselves with the legal framework in order to effectively fight Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women and children.
Commissioner of police at State House, Godwin Phiri said developing a culture of reading extensively among police officers would help them to keep abreast with the changes taking place in the external environment.
He said this yesterday at Lilayi Police Training College during the opening of the first ever national police officers’ quiz which is aimed at raising awareness on GBV.
“Zambia is a signatory to relevant international and regional instruments and locally we have the constitution where we find the Anti Gender Based Violence Act of 2011.
“I therefore urge officers to read widely and understand the legal framework in the fight against gender based violence against women and children,” he said.
Mr Phiri further hailed the United Nations and the Zambian government for their effort in curbing gender based violence against women and children.
He urged the officers to reciprocate the effort of the Government and other stakeholders by treating GBV cases with the emergency they deserved.
Earlier, Lilayi police training commandant Richard Mweene said GBV was a threat to national security.
He said there was need to involve traditional healers and leaders in the fight against GBV if the country was to win the battle as they were the major contributor to some extent.
“There is need to involve traditional healers and traditional leaders in the fight because they are one of the major contributors to the increase of the vice through the myths which they tell the general public,” he said.
UNICEF representative Anne Sampa said the UN remained committed to providing resources to help fight GBV and ensure that children and women were safe in Zambia.
Ms Sampa, however, called on police to treat GBV cases as emergency cases if they were to attract more people reporting the offences.
Victim Support Unit (VSU) national coordinator Tresford Kasale said police needed to broaden their knowledge on GBV against women and children if they were to be relevant to the victims.
