adminZvifadzo Lubombo Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe should strengthen child protection systems at local and national levels to fight rising cases of child rape, Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Oppah Muchinguri has said. Speaking at the launch of a campaign against sexual abuse and rape of children last week, Minister Muchinguri said the country needed to devise effective strategies to end child sexual abuse and provide comprehensive services to child victims.
“I urge each and every one of us here today to make it their responsibility and be an ambassador to speak out and take action against sexual abuse of children,” she said.
“Let us continue to work together in strengthening child protection systems at national and local levels including implementation of laws, policies, regulations and the provision of comprehensive services to child victims.”
Minister Muchinguri also launched the 2011 National Baseline Survey of Life Experiences of Adolescents which aimed to collect data on the extent and magnitude of sexual, physical and emotional violence affecting children.
According to the 2011 baseline survey, 33 percent of females and nine percent of males aged 18-24 reported experiencing sexual violence prior to the age of 18.
The survey also reports that 64 percent of females and 76 percent of males aged 18-24 reported experiencing physical violence prior to the age of 18 while 29 percent of females and 38 percent males aged 18-24 reported experiencing emotional violence prior to the age of 18.
About 77,7 percent of the females aged 18-24 reported that the first incident was perpetrated by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Police Assistant Commissioner Isabella Sergio said 2 405 children were raped countrywide out of the 3 421 cases reported between January and October this year, with neighbours accounting for 41 percent while relatives accounted for 27 percent of the cases. The figures represent a 5 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
“Let us continue engaging with communities and the general public to raise awareness about the problem and address attitudes, norms and practices that are harmful to children,” Minister Muchinguri said.
“Ending sexual violence will allow our children to live safer and healthier lives and fulfil their right to freedom from sexual violence and rape.”
Ending sexual violence against girls, she said, was central to achieving justice and prosperity.
“Protecting children begins with me, protecting children begins with you, protecting children begins with all of us,” said Minister Muchinguri.
Online Reporter