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Latwell Nyangu
MEN have been called for a collective effort to combat sexual abuse of minors in communities.
The call was made during a men’s conference which was held recently in Mufakose running under the theme ‘Murume Chaiye’.
The conference which was hosted by Family Impact (FI) in collaboration with Zoe Counselling and training centre aimed to equip men with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent and combat the abuse of minors in their communities.
It was sponsored by Goal Zimbabwe.
Several speakers highlighted the challenges being faced in the communities where young children are being abused.
“It aimed at setting one’s sight on three key issues, namely sexual activities with minors, men’s mental health and father absenteeism and its effects.
“The conference pointed out the societal issues that demand immediate attention and action simultaneously.
“Sex with minors is a grave societal issue and it has profound short and long term lasting effects on the victims.
“These include psychological, emotional, even social problems, also unintended teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases,” said FI executive director Leopold Enson.
The organisation is currently running the programme in Mufakose called impact for boys which deals with boys with absent fathers.
“The absence of a male figure is a distressing issue affecting families in communities.
“The reasons behind father absenteeism include incest, casual sex, divorce, child born with a disability unintended pregnancies mostly teen pregnancies,” said Enson.
Recognising the gravity of the issue, experts and law enforcement officials from the Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit collaborated to educate attendees on the signs of grooming and how to report suspicions or incidents.
Amos Kateta, a counselling-psychologist, stated the importance of men’s mental health and why men should report any form abuse.
“Men should report mental health and should also report any form of abuse. We need to devise sustainable coping mechanisms to deal with stress and we have noted the absent fathers and its effects on the boy child.”
An official from Zoe Counselling said, Fungai Gwiriri said:
“This Men’s Conference is a first of its kind in Mufakose and it has served as a platform to highlight critical issues that affect men and boys and society as a whole.”
The participants were inspired by the stories that boys with absent fathers shared with them and how impact for boys is helping them reach their potential.
Online Reporter