By Isaac Zulu
Men who suffer abuse in relationships shy away from reporting Gender Based Violence (GBV) due to low self-esteem and shame, says PPAZ.
The Japanese Organisation for International Cooperation in Family Planning ( JOICFP) and the Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) have launched a project to respond to cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Kapiri Mposhi District.
The three year implementation roadmap project, dubbed Promotion of GBV Prevention and Care through Community Empowerment, will see construction of a One Stop Centre and two safe spaces for survivors of GBV in the district.
Speaking on the sidelines of the workshop, PPAZ Director of Programs, Lester Phiri said the project would target both men and women aged between 15 and 49 years with awareness on prevention of GBV through increased Social Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) activities on gender equality and cultural and social norms.
Phiri noted that men who survive GBV mostly shy away from reporting cases but said the scourge affects everyone regardless of gender and sex.
“The issues of GBV are many in this country but we mostly see women come out to report when equally men are affected by GBV though we don’t normally see them come out due to shame and low self esteem to talk about it,” said Phiri.
He added that the project will support a community network for referral of cases of GBV.
And speaking on formulating the district Anti-GBV Task Force, JOICFP Global Advocacy Director, Fumie Saito explained that the project will be implemented through government Ministries that include the Ministry of Health and Community Development and Social Services.
Saito disclosed that the other than training health workers on GBV client friendly services, the project will also facilitate training of community paralegal personnel to provide legal and psychological support to survivors of GBV.
“JOICFP and PPAZ is bringing this project to help reduce cases of GBV in Kapiri Mposhi.
This project has three targets the first one being to raise awareness on GBV targeting he community the second is to construct a One Stop GBV center which will be the largest in Zambia and two safe spaces for GBV survivors. The third target is we are going to provide GBV services and care at the GBV centre and safe homes for GBV survivors,” said Saito.
Kapiri Mposhi District GBV One Stop Center Coordinator, Kelvin Kapambwe has commended JOICFP and PPAZ for the initiative, saying that the project will help in reducing cases of GBV in the area.
Kapembwa observed that the formulation of the multi sectoral Anti-GBV Task Force will ensure effective GBV survivor response in the district.
