adminSamuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
CHIEF magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe has implored the nation to work towards the eradication of twin evils of sexual abuse and early child marriages, decrying that the offences were demeaning and perpetuating a cycle of poverty among victims.
Officially opening the Mutasa Magistrates’ Court last Friday, Mr Guvamombe, said access to justice and effective legal remedy and reparation in case of a violation of a given right are crucial for rural women and girls to be able them to achieve true equality in access to resources and services, to decent employment and work conditions, to social protection, in civil and family matters and in decision-making processes at all levels. He said all these were necessary preconditions for women and their dependents to live their lives in dignity, realise their human rights, be protected from abuse and violence and be active members of society.
“There is a disturbing increase of sexual abuse cases. Naturally as courts we are concerned with the rate at which sexual offences are occurring in the country, and we need to put our heads together and fight against child abuse in our nation. Sexual abuse has so many negative effects, including the exposure to HIV, STIs, unwanted pregnancies and psychological problems. Sexual abuse is demeaning and it is costly to the nation.
“We are worried that the family system which used to protect children and women has become the very system that is a snare to women and children,” said Mr Guvamombe.
“We are reading on children being married off to old men. Child marriages are destructive to the lives of children and nation at large. They promote a culture of poverty. Let us empower girl child with education. Let us keep out girls in school. Our traditional and church leaders should conscientise the community of the ill effects of child marriages,” said Mr Guvamombe.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to several international and regional conventions including the United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), which speak against the these twin evil practices. The commissioning of the court coincided with the commemoration of 16 days against Gender Based Violence, which Mr Guvamombe said knows no boundaries as it affects women, men and children.
“Domestic violence is destructive to our community. It has many negative effects including psychological, physical and even death. Violence does not solve issues. Seek help from counsellors, police and the family,” said Mr Guvamombe.
The Mutasa Magistrates’ Court was built with funding from Plan International. The NGO has also funded similar projects in Mutoko, Tsholotsho and Chiredzi, which has seen these communities accessing justice timeously.
Plan International Programme Support manager Mr Zvidzai Chidhakwa said the court will provide important service to children.
“We also think this court will be a deterrent to perpetrators of child abuse, effectively demonstrating that they will not escape the force of the law.
“Our vision is a world in which all children reach their full potential in societies that respect their rights and value their dignity. “Child rights and protection of these rights is the hallmark of our work,” said Mr Chidhakwa.
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