Blame GBV on drugs and alcohol - Activist
Gender Based Violence (GBV) Activist Wiseman Gorewang, says drug and substance abuse is a major contributing factor towards increased cases of GBV.
Gorewang told this publication that in most cases, perpetrators often use intoxication as an excuse for their wrongdoing.
According to Gorewang, perpetrators often claim that they performed acts of violence because they were under the influence of a substance they had taken.
Unfortunately, most perpetrators admit to becoming violent after substance abuse, causing harm to their families or people around them.
“Men are most likely the culprits when it comes to substance abuse, even though some women are also involved in using drugs. Lately the youth are mostly affected by the problem of substance abuse,” he said.
Besides GBV, the effects of substance abuse on youth include loss of jobs, poor academic performance, juvenile delinquency and loss of mind or loss of lives.
He said government needs to implement policies that can prevent the harm that comes with substance abuse and also guarantee access to comprehensive health and social care services for victims of GBV.
Gorewang said there is need to advocate for evidence-based polices, laws and regulations to control alcohol use or substance availability.
Other ways of mitigating the challenge, he says, would be to consistently hold workshops and roadshows in schools, workplaces around the country to sensitise communities on the dangers of substance and alcohol abuse.