Call for tougher laws to address gender violence

By JINA AMBA
WOMEN from 10 provinces have called for more action against perpetrators and tougher laws in place to address gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
The women came up with an outcome statement from a summit on ending GBV by coalition of parliamentarians.
The points included some areas that were overlooked that needed more efforts to make them practical.
The women suggested an annual provincial summit on GBV before the national summit to enable provincial views to be heard at the national level.
These include empowering women leaders.
They called on the coalition of parliamentarians to ensure progress on GBV was measurable by having a baseline established and report on the progress made at the next summit.
A progressive baseline should be measured every year, analysing existing data.
The women want the National Council of Women and women’s groups included in the national GBV summit to work with the parliamentary committee and coalition against GBV.
The team wanted the monitoring body to report annually to the summit and public.
It wanted the national family sexual violence committee to be resourced and revived within the national GBV strategy and strengthen community development support as a secretariat
They called for provinces to provide updates on GBV response and progressive baseline to support them.
The team wanted the national, provincial and district coordination mechanism to include human rights defenders and gazette the role and protection for human rights defenders.
It said rehabilitation services should include counselling and awareness.