By Meluse Kapatamoyo
Some traditional practices in Zambia have contributed to the increase of gender-based violence which now affects nearly 50 percent of all women in the country, United States Deputy Chief of Missions Michael Koplovsky told MyWage Zambia in an interview.
Commenting on the recent launch of the national anti-gender-based- violence campaign themed “Abuse: Just Stop It”, aimed at making Zambia a gender violence-free society, Koplovsky said: “I know that tradition runs strong in Zambia …but gender-based violence is not ‘cultural’…it is criminal. Whether it happens in a battle zone, in a brothel, in a bar, or in a bedroom, it is a crime. Whether it is committed by a stranger or a spouse, by a big brother or a burglar, it is a crime. Whether the victim is a professor or a prostitute, it is a crime.”
He noted that when some speakers talked to men about gender-based violence, they often appealed to family bonds, stating that every woman is someone’s mother, sister, or daughter. “Would you want your daughter treated this way?” they ask. Treat every woman as you would want your mother, sister or daughter to be treated, is their message.
“But it misses the point. We must stop gender-based violence, not because women are the weaker sex, not because they are fragile and in need of our protection. Not because they are somehow less worthy. We must stop gender-based violence because it is wrong, plain wrong,” said Koplovsky.
As someone who has lived in Zambia for more than two years, he has seen the contributions made by women towards the country’s economy. Koplovsky said it was impossible for any country to reach exalted heights and achieve ambitious goals when half its population was beaten down.
“Zambian women are, indeed, caring mothers. They are also ministers - in the government and on the pulpit. They are ministers, farmers, traders. Zambian women are making new scientific discoveries, policing your borders, and running your largest banks. A Zambian woman represents Zambia as an ambassador to Washington. Zambian women strive just as hard as men, if not harder than men, to support their families and move this country forward,” Koplovsky said.
“ I have attended a few weddings here in Lusaka…loving couples who commit themselves to each other. But I am always disturbed by the speeches that are given, speeches imploring the husbands not to beat their wives, reminding them of the respect and love they feel for their new spouses so they will not mistreat the ‘missus’. Such speeches should not be necessary,” he said. “I am looking forward to the day when we can attend Zambian weddings and nobody will feel compelled to give such speeches, to even think there is a need for such speeches, because the days of gender-based violence will be history. The national campaign to end gender-based violence in Zambia is a great step towards realising that day.”
The campaign was launched in the capital Lusaka, by President Rupiah Banda on October 29, 2009. For the past two years, the US government has been running the Woman’s Justice and Empowerment Initiative, a programme through which they have trained the police and the judiciary in investigating and prosecuting gender-based crimes.