Justice denied for 27 years
To an outsider, this may not be considered very significant, but within her community, where domestic violence is viewed as a private affair and where many victims tend not to speak up for fear of retaliation, this is seen as a remarkable achievement and a positive beginning.
An officer from the Police Victim Support Unit in Lundazi who has been working closely with Women for Change in the fight against gender-based violence said the training of paralegals in rural Lundazi has resulted in a decrease in cases of gender-based violence.
“We have been working closely with paralegals who most of the times act as informants and we follow up on cases. Also more and more people are speaking out as a result of the sensitisation that they have been receiving from paralegals. At times distance from the community to the police post makes it difficult for victims to report cases but with paralegals in their communities they get immediate intervention before we take over,” explained the officer at Lundazi Police post.
“Addressing GBV adequately requires community intervention not only Government effort. GBV takes place within families and communities but sometimes GBV is tolerated if not actually encouraged as an acceptable form of dispute resolution. I always encourage communities and families to learn values that give honour and respect to women and girls” the police officer added.
European Union and its partners are committed to preventing violence against women and children and increasing the reporting and prosecution of such cases. Visit the ZGF website to learn more about the other organisations that are being supported by ZGF in implementing media development and access to justice initiatives.
Magazine/January, 2012 7
Tigwepo - March, 2017 6