Good Practice : Stop Political Violence Now-Zambia

Activity Implemented by Zambian International Health Alliance -ZIHA which has taken up a comprehensive approach of coming up with this Nationwide Political Violence Prevention Initiative(Stop Political Violence Now-Zambia) As an organization we view this initiative as a “ life saving program” that will save as a basis for effective political violence-prevention in Zambia.

Aims / Objectives :

Our aims are to prevent political violence and objective is to set up a Center for Non Violence. Zambia has a serious problem with political violence. It permeates the very structure of our community - our families, our schools , political parties and leaders in our neighborhoods. Political violence transcends geographical, tribal , economic , gender and more political boundaries. Its costs are incalculable, In real dollars , money from the donor community is spent on funding political violence and not law enforcement in the right manner, the criminal justice system , penal facilities are used for mistreating political victims as offenders from the opposition.

Short description :

Political violence activities have been occurring in the past years ,but more since the 2008 presidential by-election and a number of other parliamentary by elections. We as an organization have recognized the need to engage in political violence prevention before it becomes like what happened in Kenya, Zimbabwe or Rwanda . Our understanding shows that, as any social problem , community initiated efforts of prevention will be the most effective.Education is critical in the effort to end political violence. The Electorate must be given information and education about nonviolence and the effects of political violence. They must be given the support they need early and comprehensive intervention. political violence .Early identification of political violence and intervention will lessen future problems and help ensure national success. We shall have schools and religious institutions teach political violence prevention education and activities. Community groups will provide activities and information. The community can be “political friendly” by encouraging zero tolerance for all .

Further informations :

Every person in Zambia be it citizen or not will need the availability of intervention services when political violence occurs . Political violence victims of sexual assault , battering and political hate crimes need intervention to heal and to lessen the isolation that political violence often feel. Perpetrators of Political violence will need education and intervention to stop the cycle of their political violent actions.