Permanent Secretary Gender Division Ms.Mainga Kabika (Gender Division) handovers a report from Mrs. Mwenya Kaela Bwalya, the Permanent Secretary (Legal) in the Ministry of Justice
By Innocent Siachitoba
The Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) today the 31st August, 2023 handed over a project report and recommendations for the amendment of the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act, No 1 of 2011 to the Gender Division under the Office of the Vice President.
The report and recommendations were received by the Permanent Secretary Gender Division Ms.Mainga Kabika who in turn presented the same to Mrs. Mwenya Kaela Bwalya, the Permanent Secretary (Legal) in the Ministry of Justice for further action by the Ministry.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Mrs. Bwalya stated that she was delighted to receive the report and that the proposals made by the ZLDC which she noted took into account international best practices, would be considered in developing the law. She commended the Commission for diligently conducting law reform processes in the country.
The Permanent Secretary Ms. Kabika affirmed that the review of the Act shows the government’s commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and demonstrates a commitment to the promotion of the welfare of the people in the country. She hoped that the enactment of the proposed amendments to the law and subsequent enforcement would act as a deterrent to perpetrators of the vice of gender-based violence.
Speaking on behalf of the ZLDC Chairperson Hon. Mrs Lady Justice Ruth Chibbabbuka, Mrs. Chipo Mushota Nkhata, a Commission member stated that the review of the AGBV Act was a reaction to the rising cases of gender-based violence in the country. Further, a performance audit by the Auditor General revealed that the Act had gaps relating to the reporting of cases, prosecution, and handling of child victims of AGBV, among other gaps. She said that among other recommendations the Commission submitted the need for the courts to be given discretion to consider alternative sentencing unless the GBV is aggravated as well as the need to align offences in the Penal Code Act with acts of gender-based violence as defined in the Act.
UNDP Resident Representative Mr. James Wakiaga also present at the event stated that his organization will continue to support the government and other state actors to ensure the protection of human rights and the promotion of justice for all. He added that the UNDP will continue to complement government efforts in combating GBV to achieve zero tolerance of the same.
And the Head of the Development Cooperation (Swedish Embassy) Ms. Susannah Hughes submitted that gender-based violence is a threat to democratic development therefore, there is a need to address the vice through appropriate policy and legislation.
For more of the report, presentation, and handover ceremony , kindly click:
Summary Report: https://www.zambialawdevelopment.org/…/executive…/
Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3h3vBgd-go
Live Stream: https://fb.watch/mMdquhkzo6/