Police vow to fight domestic violence

violence against women and children.
In a speech read on his behalf by Senior Assistant Commissioner Lee Muchemwa at yesterday’s opening of a national training workshop on law enforcement responses to violence against women and children, Deputy Comm-Gen Sibanda said such crimes had destroyed many households.
“As police, our mandate is to protect life of all and sundry and we are obliged to exercise zero tolerance on matters pertaining to violence against women and children.
“Violence is by nature destructive and negatively affects the lives of millions of women and children; it impedes the rights of women and to fully participate in the society.
“It has become a global issue of endemic proportions and transcends all social, cultural, ethnic and religious boundaries,” he said.
Deputy Comm-Gen Sibanda said violence hindered development.
“At the 1995 Beijing Conference, governments declared that violence against women constituted a violation of basic rights and was an obstacle to achievement of the objectives of development and peace.”
He hailed Government for being party to various regional and global conventions and treaties that sought to end violence.
The workshop opening coincided with the 100th International Women’s Day commemorations.
The national training workshop is supposed to enhance good practices, ensure greater access to support services such as protective shelter, legal assistance and improved administration of evidence in courts of law.