adminIT’S every girl child’s right to be protected from all forms of abuse.
Despite being fragile, gullible and error-prone, it doesn’t take away the need for society to give them protection.
Like their male counterparts, they deserve a bright future, sound education and peace of mind.
Peace of mind enables them to fulfill their dreams as well as raising their self-esteem.
By raising their self-esteem, it helps them to realise their dreams and make the world a better place to live in.
This can only be attained once we change our mindset.
Gone are the days when girls’ dreams would be easily shattered as they were only groomed to become baby-making machines.
Some had potential to change their world while others had their dreams ended in a nasty fashion.
While the boys are usually pampered with a good life and opportunities, the girls, too, should not be left behind. It all starts by empowering the Girl Child from birth to ensure she has a better future.
Due care and responsibility is all that is needed to give the Girl Child a bright future.
And, raising the Girl Child is, indeed, a daunting task, which requires society to give them priority.
Their needs require a collective effort as they are often vulnerable to all forms of abuse. The worst being sexual exploitation and early child marriages, which are still common in Zimbabwe.
How people still overlook 18, as the age of sexual consent, is still worrisome.
It is also sad how girls, as young as 14, continue to suffer from sexual abuse.
Sex predators preying on young girls remain on the loose, which calls for police chiefs to flex their muscles.
Despite all the campaign against sexual exploitation, early child marriages and abuse of young girls, it appears many of the devils remain unrepentant.
A recent national inquiry into these issues by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission showed that these forms of abuse are rampant in Hopley Farm, Harare. Social workers, police chiefs and parents need to step up and fight this new cancer.
Such cases should never be concealed but exposed to ensure perpetrators rot behind bars.
As the media, it’s also our responsibility to ensure that we spread the gospel against these ills.
We can’t afford to be mum, when young girls are being violated by unrepentant sex predators.
No matter how sex-starved one can become, preying on innocent girls is never a solution.
Education about this new cancer needs to start at household level where children are taught morals.
Parents/guardians marrying off young girls should be arrested and prosecuted to save the next generation.
Not only should they be prosecuted but they also need to be slapped with sterner sentences which will send a message to would-be offenders.
In a nutshell, it’s high time stakeholders combine forces and save the girl-child.
By protecting them, we are creating a new generation of focused women and game-changers.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter