Human Rights activist Brebner Changala says Gender Based Violence victims are being failed by emergency systems because many toll free lines in Zambia allegedly do not work.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times,Changala said survivors living in fear are left stranded because the systems meant to protect them are unreliable.
“The country must appreciate the fact that the government has launched free toll lines in this country, despite the fact that they do not work,” Changala said.
He said Zambia has several emergency and police toll lines, but victims under stress do not even know which number to call during violence.
Changala claimed that even when victims manage to call, help does not always come immediately.
“When victims manage to get through, they are sometimes informed that officers are unavailable or that response vehicles cannot be dispatched due to logistical challenges such as lack of fuel,” Changala said.
He described systems as collapsed, saying many services sound good on paper but fail to function in reality.
Changala said communities and neighbors are now acting like the real police force because they are usually the first people to hear violence happening in homes.
He explained that neighbors can sometimes respond faster than official systems during GBV incidents.
However, Changala expresses hope in the launch of toll free services for GBV victims. He insisted that trust in toll free lines can only improve if response systems are fully supported with manpower, transport, and quick action.
Artic;e by Catherine Mwansa
