LUSAKA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Zambia recorded an 8.2 percent decline in gender-based violence (GBV) cases in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the police have said.

A total of 9,899 GBV cases were recorded in the third quarter of 2025, compared to 10,782 cases during the same period in 2024, police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said in a statement released late Tuesday.

He said that out of the cases reported, 6,203 were criminal in nature, while 3,696 were non-criminal.

"The data shows a positive trend of declining gender-based violence cases over the same quarter of the previous year, reflecting the impact of ongoing sensitization and community policing interventions," Hamoonga said.

Hamoonga noted that a total of 2,318 children and 7,581 adults were victims of GBV during the period, with women representing 79 percent of the victims and men 21 percent, indicating that women and girls remain the most affected.

While acknowledging the overall decline, he expressed concern over the persistently high levels of physical and sexual violence against women and girls in the country.

The police, he added, remain committed to combating all forms of gender-based violence through continued law enforcement, awareness campaigns, and victim support services. ■