Eastern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary (PS) Lewis Mwape has emphasised the importance of strengthened partnerships between government and the traditional leadership in fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV. The media reports that Dr Mwape said this during a meeting with Chief Chanje and Senior Chief Kafwimbi of Isoka District, who is on an exchange working visit in Chief Chanje’s Chiefdom in Chipangali District meant to address GBV issues, and related topics. Dr Mwape noted that culture was one of the drivers of GBV, hence the need for traditional leaders to play an active role in eradicating the vice.
He noted that traditional leaders need to spearhead GBV fight to eradicate the vice, adding that poverty was another contributing factor. “Poverty level amongst female headed households is very high, about 60 percent of the female headed households just like child headed households are living in poverty. So what this government has been doing is to firstly invest in initiatives that elevate women,” Dr Mwape said.
He said the Government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema was investing in women cooperatives, providing grants and loans, through the Constituency Development Funds (CDF). Dr Mwape also noted that the government removed the cost barrier to education through the free education policy which has inspired enrolment of more girls into school. “For Eastern Province we have about 365,000 children who have gone back to school, and among these, the majority are girls” Dr Mwape noted.
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He emphasised that President Hakainde Hichilema introduced the free education policy to provide inclusivity to access to education so that both boys and girls can have access to education. The DSPS added that the government is also working on championing adult learning in order to ensure that women do not face challenges in accessing finances, adding that through this opportunity many women will not feel uninformed to apply for government empowerment programs. Chief Chanje commended the government for supporting women cooperatives with grants and loans, as a means of empowerment. The Chief also expressed gratitude to Chief Kafwimbi who is on a working visit to learn and share knowledge on GBV related matters.
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