By Margaret Mangani. –
AS the country observes the 16 days of Gender activism which started on November 25 and ends on December 10 , it is important for all stake-holders to reflect on some of the measures that have been put in place to curb the scourge of Gender based Violence (GBV).
By so doing this will make the fight against the scourge meaningful rather than rendering the entire exercise academic
This year’s 16 days of gender activism is being commemorated under the theme from peace in the home to the nation.
The scourge of Gender based Violence(GBV) affects women,girls, boys and in some instances men as well and if left unchecked can retard progress to the development of the nation due to the cost complication that it may have on both human resources and as well as other initiatives meant to bring it down.
For instance currently the courts of law have gone out of their way to ensure that culprits of GBV are sent to jail for a longer time to make them reflect on their actions but to no avail.
The Judiciary has bemoaned that even after increasing jail sentences to the maximum the crime rate is still increasing.
Prisons are generally meant to offer reformatory and punitive measures and not punish offenders as per say .
But due to the rise in the cases of GBV cases more people have found themselves at the wrong end of the law therefore most prisons are becoming congested with such characters all in the name of ensuring that justice is done.
Those that are sent to jail should serve as a lesson to others as well as serve as a deterrent factor to other would be offenders.
According to statistics released by the judiciary annually regardless of how long offenders are sent to jail ,many more are still committing the offence with impunity.
Making people to wonder as what has gone wrong with our society.
The picture does not seem to change for any better.
Gender and Child Development Minister Nkandu Luo has called for intense investments in the education of the girl-child to eliminate child marriages which is one of the cases of GBV which perpetuates poverty and can retard national development.
Girl children are being forced into early marriages due to culture and high poverty levels which deprives the girl child of her potential to make it in life.
In this competitive world education has remained the core focus for one to make it in life but if more girl children are being pushed into early marriages then it debrives them of their ability to achieve their dream and predisposes them to health complications like fistula, cervical cancer and STis .
How can girls compete favourably with the boys in order to secure their future as well contribute to national development when they are being turned into young brides?.
Life is not just centred on marriage alone as a solution to the many social challenges being faced though religion dictates that it is a holy sanctuary.
Yes we agree with the notion that companioniship is cardinal but both girls and boys should not be coerced into early marriages but get into it the union at the right time and also work as partners.Parents should not push their young girls and boys into marriage simply because they cannot manage to meet most of their social needs.
Doing so is a violation of the rights of the child.
In case of the girl child she becomes vulnerable, compromises her health status and in the end loses focus of the future endeavours which could hinder them from contributing equitably with the boys to national development.
Both girls and boys have a right to education and it should be accorded to them equally at the right time time.
Not to state that the nation needs qualified lawyers, engineers doctors and pilots to drive the economy forward but this can only be possible if learners are accorded an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams without any due interference from any quarters.
Girls especially should be preserved by all means and only sent away at the right time when they are mature enough to make informed decisions and choices in life that could stir them to higher heights.
The issue of early marriage should not be used as a scape-goat to resolving numerous social challenges brought about due to high poverty levels, bad traditions and culture.
Education is key to most of the global challenges faced today.
One’s academic prowess is the answer to all manner of reducing poverty because it opens up the mind.
But once it is compromised then there is no magic about it but can cause affliction to many family units nowadays.
The Victim Support Unit (VSU) assistant superintendent Agness Chilembo has revealed that more than 1,095 cases of violence against women were reported between June and August 2015.
But it is gratifying to note that government is committed to spearhead the campaign against child marriages in the country.
This was revealed through a speech read out by President Edgar Lungu when he officiated at the first African Union Girls summit in Lusaka.
“I am glad to mention that my Government has also developed a national strategy on ending child marriages which will be launched soon.
This strategy is indeed one of Zambia’s commitments aimed at curbing the vice ,’’ Mr Lungu said.
Ms Chilembo also said out of the 688 cases of defilement reported, 57 were rape cases while 541 were of a violence nature against men.
Professor Luo said parents should make it a priority to educate the girl-child, as this was the only way of curbing child marriages and addressing gender violence.
She said this in Lusaka recently during the launch of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
“Parents should invest in the girl-children’s education – educate a woman, you educate the nation and educate a man, you educate an individual. In order to survive in this world one needs an education,” Prof Luo said.
She said of all forms of abuse, child marriage was the worst, as it came with numerous negative ramifications apart from dropping out of school.
NGOCC vice-chairperson Yunike Mwale said the 16 days of gender activism was timely as the country was facing an increase in the number of school drop-outs, especially the girl-child.
Ms Yunike said it was a sad story that even with the continued advocacy and sensitisation against child marriages, the vice had continued to flourish.
“We are sad to note that despite the continued advocacy against child marriages, the scourge has continued unabated and is now on the upswing,” she said.
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) chief of mission representing the United Nations (UN), Abibatou Wane said child marriage denied the girl-child the right to education and for many, it meant the end of their dreams.
“For a girl, marriage can mean the end of her education.
It sets aside her chances of a vocation or career and can steal her foundational life choices,” she said.
Child marriage is a human rights abuse that is influenced by traditional attitudes, customary beliefs and gender discrimination and often denies the right to education, especially for a girl child.
So let girls be girls and not be forced to become young brides at the cost of their future.