'Counsel men before getting married'

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
RESIDENTS of Lusaka’s Chawama township have observed that the failure to counsel men before they get married has significantly contributed to the rise in gender-based violence (GBV).
Speaking during The Good Husband campaign evaluation meeting during the week, Brighton Chongo said pre-marital counselling for men is a remedy for GBV in society.

The Good Husband campaign was launched last year in December and will run for three years with a hope of transforming violent men.
However, Mr Chongo said it is unfortunate that many cultures in Zambia do not counsel men before marriage.
He said “as men we always think we can gain respect from our wives and children by beating them.”
And another resident Evaristo Lesa added that the manner in which some marriages are contracted is also contributing to GBV.
Mr Lesa said young people are now having children outside wedlock and are forced to get married thereafter without counselling.
He said that “young couples have no one to counsel them and they do not know how to resolve issues in their home and end up fighting.”
And Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) executive director Patricia Ndhlovu said since The Good Husband campaign was launched it has been received with enthusiasm by the residents.
Though much more sensitisation is needed to make good husbands and reduce GBV in the country.

“And that is why we have decided to donate soccer balls and chess boards to deter men from being found in bars but rather; participate in sporting activities,” she said.
She added that her organisation will be holding monthly evaluation meetings on the same programme in order to access the progress.