The role of the church in the fight against Gender Based Violence

Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zambia is widespread and continues to be one of the key barriers to women’s enjoyment of their rights and to national development. Over the last several years both government and nongovernmental organizations have stepped up efforts to combat GBV. However the vice continues to be prevalent. Zambia is largely a Christian society and the church has been well known to be a champion for human rights and social justice.Church leaders are known to be the first persons of contact for women and couples experiencing GBV. It affects every aspect of women’s lives from their personal health and safety, to the safety of their families, to their ability to earn a living. Although some people in the society feel that the problem is being overblown, Gender Based Violence is threatening to add another impediment to Zambia’s development efforts especially in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).