Milenge Men Speak Up on SGBV

By Linda Mupemo


Picture by Dreams Time

Milenge District in Luapula Province has recorded an increase in the number of men reporting Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases to law enforcement agencies. 

 

Milenge District One Stop Centre Coordinator Esnart Zgambo disclosed that 24 men reported their partners to the centre for SGBV related cases in July, 2022. 

 

ZANIS reports that Ms. Zgambo said this during the Milenge One Stop Centre Stakeholders meeting which was held at Milenge Resource Centre.

 

Ms. Zgambo stated that the One Stop Centre recorded a total of 56 SGBV cases in the period under review adding that 32 women were reported to the centre in the same period. 

 

 

"This is a positive with regards to men opening up on abuse from their partners. The turn out from men used to be low previously. But with more sensitisation, more men are beginning to seek help on SGBV,” she said. 

 

 

Ms. Zgambo, however, revealed that none of the perpetrators were prosecuted as the victims opted to undergo couples' counselling. 

 

"We do what the victims request except in an event that the case is criminal in nature. In this case, all the victims withdrew their cases and the couples underwent counselling,” she explained. 


Picture by Getty Images

Earlier, Natwampane Women For Change District Coordinator Adam Muchangwe stated that the programme implementers are scheduled to start empowering SGBV survivors.

 

Mr. Muchangwe noted that lack of financial freedom forces some victims to continue living with their abusers. 

 

"We have observed that most victims are at the mercy of their abusers, they depend on them financially. We are currently working on modalities to economically empower SGBV survivors," he said. 

 

Meanwhile, Natwampane Samfya Cluster Coordinator Rufas Mkandawire said the organisations are strengthening the existing Anti-SGBV structures so that the fight  continues even when Natwampane programme phases out. 

 

Mr. Mkandawire stated that the European funded programme which commenced in 2019 is scheduled to end this year. 

  

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