Grace, the manager of the Coordinated Response Center being interviewed for ZNBC (the one TV station in Zambia) - telling about the services the center will offer the community.
World Vision opened a Coordinated Response Center (CRC) for gender based violence in Mazabuka - a highway town about 1 1/2 hours south of Lusaka.
Gender based violence (GBV) is a big problem here in Zambia - and this center would allow people (mostly women) to access legal, medical, police and counseling services all in one location instead of having to travel to different parts of town to talk with the right person, waiting, then going to the next service provider.
The local district hospital offered up a block of three rooms which were cleaned, painted, furnished and are now ready to serve those who have suffered from violence.
I was talking with a woman who illustrated how GBV became part of her personal story - and how even her educated parents can justify violence.
This woman was beaten by her husband early on in her marriage and told her parents about it - they immediately called them to the house to talk about what happened and asked the husband how/why he beat their daughter.
It turns out that the husband beat her because she was unwilling to "meet his needs" when he wanted it. When the parents heard this - the tables were immediately turned. They were no longer angry with the husband, now they were angry with their daughter for not submitting to her husband's wishes!
This is a very male dominated society and despite the fact that women run this country--they are the backbone of the family and community structures--they are still considered second class citizens.
Update: since the CRC center opened, I heard they've been flooded with clients who never knew their rights or how to access these services! Encouraging news!
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