dyton mupawaenda
Bulawayo Bureau
THE 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (GBV) commemoration is of great significance to Ms Agnes Moyo (not her real name), whose 12-year-old daughter is a rape victim.
The teenager was first raped in July last year by their 86-year-old neighbour who was later slapped with a seven-year jail term.
Last month, she was raped on two occasions by a 19-year-old relative who is in custody pending trial.
Surprisingly, Ms Moyo is being criticised by members of the local community including relatives for reporting the rape case.
Narrating her ordeal during the Gwanda District 16 days of activism against GBV on Wednesday at Stanmore Secondary School in Gwanda, Ms Moyo expressed optimism that the campaign would help conscientise communities on the impact of gender-based violence on victims.
The commemorations which were organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development were held under the theme “Unite: Invest to prevent violence and women and girls.”
“My daughter was first raped when she was 11 years old by my 86-year-old neighbour. I got to know of it after she told her friend at school who in turn informed her mother,” said Ms Moyo.
“My daughter warned her friends against going close to the old man because he was dangerous. The mother of my daughter’s friend then informed me about the matter, and that is when I quizzed my daughter and she revealed that she had been raped.”
Ms Moyo said she accompanied her daughter to the police station where they reported the matter.
“We reported the matter to the police and we were further referred to the hospital where she received medical attention. She also received counselling at school and the rapist was convicted and sentenced to seven years,” she said.
“The rapist did not complete his sentence as he was released under amnesty. This didn’t go down well with us as a family because this man lives in our area.”
Ms Moyo said when she left her home to attend a funeral last month, her nephew took advantage of her absence and rape the girl on two different occasions.
“A few days after my return from Bulawayo where I had got to attend a funeral, a niece of mine told me that my daughter was raped during my absence. When I asked the victim she opened up,” she said.
Ms Moyo said her daughter was afraid to report after the perpetrator had threatened to kill her.
“I reported the matter to the police and our nephew was arrested. To my surprise, some community members started criticising me for my actions. They told me that we were supposed to sit down as a family and discuss the matter,” she said.
“They said I had also compromised my relations with my in-laws who have also been criticising me.”
Due to the backlash from both in-laws and the community, Ms Moyo is contemplating relocating to another area.
“Unfortunately, some people choose to protect perpetrators of gender-based violence instead of protecting the victims,” she said.
Stanmore village head Mr Clever Nkala said the reaction from the community was a clear indication that more needs to be done to educate communities on GBV issues.
“Community leaders must realise that when it comes to gender-based violence there is no room for negotiation and perpetrators should be brought to book. Some women and children who are GBV victims have died because of people who have been protecting perpetrators,” he said.
“People overlook the harm and damage suffered by GBV survivors and victims of this abuse. Communities should stop protecting perpetrators and must allow the law to take its course,”
Church of Christ pastor, Reverend Justin Siziba, said the work that has been done by Government and its partners has helped to enlighten men on GBV.
Online Reporter