Africa-Press – Lesotho. The implementation of section 16 of the Counter Domestic Violence Act will not only combat Gender Based Violence (GBV) but will ensure perpetrators are brought to book.
This was said by a Member of Parliament (MP) Mrs Malelaka Malakane in the National Assembly on Friday, when urging the government to implement the above-mentioned Act, which provides for the establishment of family courts that will hear cases of domestic violence.
Mrs. Malakane said reports on GBV continue to increase in the country and justice is not fully served due to a backlog of cases in courts of law.
She indicated that the rate of abuse among women and children stands at 61 percent as per a demographic survey that was earlier conducted, saying persons with disabilities are the most vulnerable.
She said the survey also indicates that GBV remains high in Thaba-Tseka district due to child marriage, emphasizing need for establishment of family courts to hear such cases.
She also reminded that GBV negatively affects the economy, highlighting that the Commonwealth report, 2020 indicates that Lesotho has spent about $113 to combat domestic violence.
