Men's Network in Zambia urges government to increase financing for gender equality programmes/ Le Reseau des Hommes en Zambie rocommande vivement au gouvernement d'accroitre le financement pour les programmes d'egalite des genres.

• Author: Banda, Nelson

The Men's Network Project in Zambia has recently called on political parties and the church to denounce gender-based violence in the communities. The demand was made during the Men's Press Conference as part of the International Women's Day celebrations on 3rd March 2008. There is need for men to co-exist with women in the community. The Men's Network campaign on gender violence aims at building the capacity of men in the community so as to make visible their efforts to condemn gender based violence and promote gender equality at all levels.

The Project in Zambia recognizes the importance of a violent-free-society where men, women, boys and girls respect each other's rights and therefore plans to mobilize and sensitize bus drivers, call boys, men in the community, men in the Church, male politicians, police officers and male chief executives officers in the private sector to rise up and commit themselves to fight against gender based violence.

There has been overwhelming evidence pointing at men as majority of the perpetrators of gender-based violence. Violence on women and girls has become a social norm in homes, public and work places. Gender based violence is a key obstacle to the achievement of women's aspirations and a barrier for the achievement of the goals of equality and development in the country. During the press conference men activists called on political leaders and other men in the community to denounce violence and encourage the spirit of co-existence between men and women, boys and girls adding that the concept of gender was associated with women and girls Leaving the participation of men as key allies and advocates on women's rights. One participant noted that there were men who were already working with other men and women to promote the rights of women and girls in the country.

The Men's Network demanded for zero tolerance against violence on women and girls and offences such as child defilement should not be bailable. The Men's Network Project also demanded for increased financing for gender equality programmes by the government, donor community and the private sector to implement laws, policies and programmes that could build consensuses and align the country with international best practices on gender equality and development. The Men's Network Project will continue to create space and opportunities to work with committed men to end violence on women and girls.

Nelson Banda is a journalist, sexual reproductive health...