NGOCC Nods Enhanced Access to Justice and Women’s Participation

The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) NGOCC has pledged to support all efforts aimed at enhancing women and girls’ access to justice as well as all efforts towards enhancing women’s participation in politics.

Speaking during the side event organised by the United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNPFA), the government of Zambia and other CSOs, on the sidelines of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), Chairperson Ms. Beauty Katebe noted the various milestones the Country had scored, and the need to continue pushing for more, to ensure access to justice was improved in the country.

“The advancements in access to justice for the women and girls, as well as the representation of women in key decision-making positions indicate that we are not where we were 30 years ago, yet still far below where we need to be”
“As we seek solutions to challenges that still linger, we pledge our support to efforts aimed at enhancing access to justice for women and girls regardless of their status or geographical location” she said

Ms. Katebe also underscored NGOCC’s desire to see progressive legislation born out a consultative process.

“We affirm our support to a more accountable women’s movement which will utilize the invaluable lessons over the years, to chart progressive ways forward ensuring women and girls who fall victim to various injustices are able to report abuse, access well-resourced safe spaces and counselling; access to courts of law and representation without any impediments such as cost and distance.
“Similarly, we pledge our support to affirmative action, born out of a thoroughly consultative process, aimed at addressing women’s under-representation at parliamentary and local government levels”

Ms. Chali Mbewe Hambayi Head of the Gender Based Crimes Department at National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) highlighted some key milestones Zambia had scored over thirty years.

“Reflecting over the thirty years, Zambia now has a definition of gender Based violence (GBV), there are now protection orders for survivors of GBV, prohibited withdrawal of aggravated cases of GBV. Family mediation is not allowed in dealing with cases of GBV rather, cases are prosecuted and stiff penalties for assault from 20 years to life imprisonment. The Gender Equity and Equality Act (GEEA) has entrenched the rights of women, creation of the Sexual Harassment and prevention. More recently, Zambia completely abolished Child Marriage put in place legislation declaring the minimum age of marriage at 18. Digital GBV has been addressed through Cybercrimes and Cyber Security Act and the enactment of the NPA of 2010 creation of the witness protection fund to meet logistical issues mitigation against attrition and withdrawals”

In addition, “NPA have been equipped with the tools through specialized GBV judges and Police officers from Victim support Unit (VSU) for victim support system and through One Stop Centers, they can access services under one- roof. Zambia is also moving from blaming the victim and focusing on the perpetrator. Lastly, Zambia recently set up a DNA lab which is a game changer in ensuring justice for victims” she said.