Minister of Gender Elizabeth Phiri has commended police for arresting a 38-year-old man of Petauke who allegedly sexually abused a woman in an unconscious state last week. Ms Phiri said perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV) should not go unpunished.

“GBV does not only imply inflicting pain on a victim, it also involves emotional abuse which in the long run may cause irreversible damage to the victim. It was inhuman for the man to disrespect a woman in front of a camera but also in an unconscious state,” she said. The minister said this in a statement released yesterday by Ministry of Gender media liaison officer Mwape Mwenya.

On Friday, police in Petauke arrested Rodgers Mwanza for allegedly sexually abusing an unconscious woman and filming the incident whose video went viral on social media. Ms Phiri said Zambia is making strides in fighting GBV cases through the establishment of GBV fast track courts to allow quick disposal of cases.

She said currently there are two fast track courts operating in Lusaka and Kabwe while others are being established in Choma, Mongu and Ndola.
“Women and children are more vulnerable to GBV than men, therefore, it is imperative for everyone to join the fight against the scourge.The Ministry of Gender will continue engaging the media, NGOs, the Church, traditional leadership and civil society organisations in fighting GBV,” Ms Phiri said.

She has since implored women’s movements to consider offering psychosocial counselling to the victim and