Boys and Men should make a difference to uproot Gender Based Violence in Zambia and globally

[Henry Malumo]

Boys and Men should make a difference to uproot Gender Based Violence in Zambia and globally

We have seen the numbers going up each on Gender Based Violence, in Zambia we woke up to the shocking news of a husband stabbing the beloved wife 17 times till she was dead. Boys and brothers, what substance would cause any normal person to do such? On a trip to beloved Rwanda while at Actionaid International, I was impressed by many things, one slogan that I still remember to this day is the never again is never again would the allow the genocide to repeat. Today as I reflect on the degree on Gender Based Violence in Zambia, my heart goes to families and friends that have lost loved ones. At the start of my novitiate in Johannesburg, South Africa, a friend spoke of how the late mother and sister were gunned down. Unfortunately such still happens in beloved South Africa.

I am sharing these reflections but I feel we have failed our people as boys and men. Why do I place the blame on boys and men excluding girls and women? If men are committed to the fight against Gender Based Violence as we are committed to soccer and betting, our world would be a better place. Growing up in Mongu, I celebrated the non-violent attitude of my late father. To this day, I still celebrate my father because he was a great inspiration due to his commitment to duty and we had about 10,000 books at home, how many books do you have at home. Earlier today I challenged my son to scale up his vocabulary by using new words and dropping street language because street language does not represent the mother and i. The other day, my beloved brother and Patriotic Front aspiring Presidential candidate challenged Shapa, President Hakainde Hichilema body guard about his conduct and I challenged brother Emmanuel to respect Shapa because we grew up together in Mongu. Shapa would walk a distance from Zesco offices opposite Best West Hotel to the Airport roundabout to and from. I was a member of the Judo club though unfaithful.

Boys and girls who grew up in the city always blame their parents for not taking them to international schools, if you knew where we and others went to school you would conclude we were refugees. I have extensive conversations with my children about schools and what happens in school. My son and i will be launching cyber bullying discussions for children and parents because the internet has become the new parent. Knowing what is on the internet, we are more than worried for our children. We do not want them to leave the internet but we would like share tips for internet safety and how to manage cyberbullying. I was excited to see Savethe children Zambia conducting a study but haven’t seen the outcome. We have reached boiling point and business as usual cannot continue. We have to do something that we might not have done.

We deliberately suggesting girls and women because our slogan says pamodzipossible or together possible.

 

What should be done? Because Gender Based Violence happens closed doors and often not reported given the cultural dynamics that place men as senior than women. We are part of the problem and we will be part of the solution. Here are the recommendations

1.      Afrikaconnector, Bomex Zambia and Global Disabilities Elections and Advocacy Campaign to include Victim Support Unit Lusaka, Zambia and other partners to deliver presentations at our upcoming digital skills training and you to are welcome to get on board

2.      We are in discussion with the Association of Musicians in Zambia and we hope to have a face to face meeting that embraces the power of music

3.      We propose that every Friday all boys and men should wear black t-shirts with the slogan enough is enough in all the local and global languages.

4.      Men in every community should create a response team that responds to acts of GBV and we refuse to leave everything in the hands of the police. Like with quitting any bad behaviour, we will create opportunities online and offline for anyone seeking help

5.      Encourage families to openly discuss Gender Based Violence and prepare boys for the future

6.      Create the GBV election pledge to be made by every aspiring political party and candidate to support the Enough is Enough Campaign

By

 

Henry Sinjwala Malumo

Advocate for plant based diet

Advocate for safe cities for girls and women

Advocate for Climate Justice

Advocate for the end charcoal to stop deforestation campaign

Lover of God and nature

Email: analyti...@gmail.com