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By Elvis Dumba
Uzumba – Sexual abuse cases reported in the country in 2022 revealed that children accounted for at least 58% of the reported cases, a figure which is worrying.
This was revealed by Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Hon Sithembiso Nyoni during the official launch of National 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence on Women and Children at Maramba Primary School in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District last Friday.
Hon Nyoni said it is disheartening that parents and guardians who are supposed to be protecting children are being found as facilitators or perpetrators of sexual abuse on children with some children falling pregnant at a very young age.
“The recent spike in child sexual abuse cases, some of which result in minors falling pregnant and then dying while giving birth is disturbing. What is more disheartening to note is that in the majority of these cases, parents and guardians who are expected to be protecting these minors, are being found either as perpetrators or as facilitators of the abuse and even concealing these issues to protect the perpetrators.
“This then presents a very complex situation in dealing with the sexual abuse of minors. The question we are asking is if children are becoming unsafe and insecure in the home, where will they be safe? Certainly, we need to act to make the home the safest space for women and girls. We need to be responsible citizens who shun away from such despicable practices, and ensure that children are protected from all forms of abuse,” she said.
Minister Nyoni said such bad behaviour should not be allowed to continue in the society
“This kind of immorality and cruelty cannot be allowed to go on in our societies. As a country, we need to deal decisively with such a moral degeneration that has affected families, communities, and the country at large. We cannot progress as a nation if we continue to ignore such behaviors that deprive children of the future that they deserve. I also wish to highlight here that these cases are an indication of a much bigger rot because most of the cases go unreported,” Hon Nyoni said.
Statistics from the police show that during the period of January to September 2022 a total of 435 rape cases were reported and of these, 58% involved minors. Minster Nyoni said the figure is too high to be ignored. In addition, a total of 959 sexual violence cases and 1 038 domestic violence cases were reported during the same period.
“These are figures of reported cases, but we are fully aware that so many similar cases go unreported all in the name of preserving the family name,” she noted.
His Excellency, Mr. Edward Kallon United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Country Coordinator said gender-based violence affects socio-economic development in the country.
“There is no doubt that GBV causes regression in the socio-economic gains and investments made for sustainable development. We desperately need transformative measures to accelerate ACTION to END GBV, especially against women and girls,” he said.
The theme of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV is “All lives matter! End all Gender Based Violence Now”
The European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, traditional leaders, top government officials and other stakeholders attended the launch.