Zambia records increase in GBV cases

The Victim Support Unit of the Zambia Police Service last year recorded a total of 26,370 gender based violence (GBV) cases countrywide. This indicates an increase of 1,249 cases compared to the 25,121 which were recorded in 2019. This translates into an increase of five percent. According to a statement by Zambia Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo, the 2020 GBV disaggregated data indicates that 6,415 juvenile victims were abused countrywide, which represents a 24 percent of all the victims of gender based violence that were reported last year. Mrs. Katongo, who expressed sadness at the rise in GBV cases, has since called for active stakeholder participation in combating the scourge which she said is mainly perpetuated within communities in the country. “Most of these cases happen within homes and this in itself is an indicator that communities are major stakeholders in the fight against GBV. The Zambia Police will continue engaging all stakeholders in finding solutions to the vice,” she stated. She further explained that among the cases recorded, 6,415 were children out of which 4,866 were female juveniles. This represents 76 percent of females that were affected while 1,549 were male juveniles, representing 24 percent of all abused child victims respectively. She noted that 14,875 female adults and 5,080 male adults were abused countrywide representing 56 percent and 19 percent respectively. “The 2020 annual crime statistical report indicates that a total number of 15,092 victims and 7,239 offenders where counselled by Victim Support Unit officers countrywide. Further, 685 cases of gender based violence were reported during the 16 Days of Gender Activism from the period, 25th November to 10th December, 2020,” she added. Meanwhile, Mrs. Katongo has disclosed that a total of 264 cases of gender based violence were captured during the simultaneous female led Operation Basadi which was conducted in the country from the 9th to 11th December 2020. Operation Basadi is a Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) intervention aimed at curbing GBV in SARPCCO member countries. Mrs. Katongo pointed out that the decisions mandated all SARPCCO member countries to conduct a bi-annual female led regional simultaneous operation code named Basadi and targeted at combatting gender based violence. She said 23 sexual offences involved female juvenile victims while five were female adults. She added that 143 cases of physical abuse, 13 economic abuse and 80 emotional abuses were also recorded during the period under review. Mrs. Katongo explained that the Basadi Operation came up with decisions which were made by the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (SARPCCO) at the 19th annual general meeting in Namibia. And Mrs. Katongo added that Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of child defilement cases totaling to 1,078 cases and translating to 42 percent of all child defilement cases reported country wide.  Central Province recorded 316 cases translating to 12 percent, followed by Eastern Province with 294 cases while Southern Province recorded 193 and Copperbelt Province recorded 185 cases. She said North-western recorded 146, Muchinga 96, Western 79, Luapula 78 and Northern recorded 76 while Airport Division recorded three cases. She noted that 468 rape, 173 indecent assault and 60 incest cases were also recorded in 2020 countrywide. She further said the country recorded 82 murder cases.  “Out of 82 cases of GBV related murder recorded country wide, 52 victims were female adults, 21 victims were male adults, 7 were female juvenile victims and 2 were male juveniles,” she said.-