GBV negatively impacting on GDP – Govt

Government says Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has negatively influenced the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the national economic wellbeing.

Ministry of Gender Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale says GBV is a costly global and local issue whose effects are felt by everyone.

Speaking during a discussion on the Strategic direction on GBV programming in Lusaka today, Ms. Mutale reaffirmed government’s commitment to continue providing policy direction and legal frameworks to create an enabling environment for the increased awareness and implementation of gender equality programs.

Ms. Mutale adds that government is committed to see to it that Gender Based Violence and Early Child Marriages are eliminated permanently in the country.

And speaking at the same event, European Union Ambassador to Zambia, Alessandro Mariano has called on Members of Parliament to pass the marriage bill in order to end early child marriages in the country.

Mr. Mariani says it is time Zambia passed this law and make early child marriage illegal.

And United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Mission Director Patrick Diskin says the U.S government has taken steps to integrate gender equality and equal access to education into its broader foreign policy and development framework.