adminH-Metro Reporter
SIX children’s organisations under the umbrella name, Joining Forces Zimbabwe, have condemned the continued sexual abuse of young girls in the country.
They have appealed to the Government and other stakeholders to invest in awareness campaigns in order to break this evil cycle.
In a press statement yesterday, the six organisations, World Vision, Plan International, Save The Children International, and three others, said the recent shocking reports of juvenile girls from Tsholotsho and Bindura being impregnated, due to sexual abuse, shows that the violation of girls’ rights continues unabated.
“It is clear that young girls continue to experience sexual abuse within their homes and communities, which are meant to be safe spaces,” the organisation said.
“More still needs to be done to strengthen prevention of sexual abuse and also empower young girls so that they recognise abuse and have more safe spaces as well as more effective mechanisms for child friendly reporting.”
The organisations hailed the media for playing an important role in reporting such cases for justice to be served.
The group urged relevant actors, including Government departments at all levels, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and community-level structures, such as churches and traditional leaders, to invest more in awareness messages to break the cycle. They said communities should report sexual abuse as part of measures to prevent the vice that continues to rob women and young girls of their future.
“There are other pieces of legislation that seek to provide care and protection to children.
“We will continue to strengthen the confidence of communities in the protection system and encourage more reporting of such criminal acts while we advocate for more focus to be placed on preventing sexual abuse.”
Online Reporter