Non-governmental Gender Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) executive director Egwase Mwale says Cabinet’s decision to approve the National Alcohol Policy meant regulate the consumption of alcohol is long overdue.

On Wednesday, Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya announced that Cabinet had passed a resolution to put in place measures that would prevent excessive intake of alcohol among citizens, following worrying statistics that indicate that 42 percent of Zambian women drink excessively.

Welcoming the development in a statement yesterday, Mwale said the law would reduce adverse effects of alcohol consumption such as Gender based violence (GBV) and road traffic accidents among other vices.

“The Non-governmental Gender Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has noted cabinets approval of the implementation of the National Alcohol Policy, which is long overdue. As an organization, NGOCC has over the years been deeply concerned about the moral decay in our society some of which is manifesting in the abuse of alcohol by both men and women. We have no doubt that the policy if well implemented will reduce the adverse effects of alcohol consumption vices such as Gender based violence (GBV), road traffic accidents and others. It is a fact that one of the drivers of gender-based violence and increased road carnage in the country have been increased abuse and intake of alcohol by both men and women. NGOCC therefore commends the government for developing the policy to curb the abuse of alcohol which has negative effects on both men, women, girls and boys,” stated Mwale.