ZCTU WOMEN CONDEMNS SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS, CALLS FOR DECISIVE AND DETERRENT MEASURES AGAINST PERPETRATORS

The ZCTU Women’s Committee condemns the reported case of a nine-year-old girl who was impregnated and calls upon the state to take decisive measures to protect the girl child.

Cases of underage girls being impregnated, dying from pregnancy complications and left to bear the brunt of living a disrupted life are rising at an alarming level. While we applaud Zimbabwean Government for making history by taking care of abused girl child, we strongly condemn the incidences leading to the pregnancy itself on the minor.

The state must now descend heavily on perpetrators with stiff jail sentences to send a clear message of intolerance to the vice. We note that such cases are not being handled or concluded in a manner that shows the state’s sincerity in dealing with such social vices. Perpetrators are easily granted bail and left to roam in society while posing a greater risk to other children. The country is fast turning into hunting ground for juvenile sex predators while the police and judiciary are responding in a lukewarm fashion.

As working mothers, we are seriously disturbed by the lack of adequate security measures when it is the responsibility of government to secure a safe, free and comfortable environment for minors and all citizens.

According to United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 19 and 34 as well as Section 81(e) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, on Rights of Children, governments must protect children from violence, abuse, sexual exploitation and neglect by anyone.

Some of the prominent cases that have been flagged out include media reports of a girl child who died of pregnancy related complications and that of a grade seven pupil who delivered while sitting for examinations. We note that a lot more cases of that nature go unreported and responsible ministries and state organs must take a proactive role in the protection of minors by raising adequate awareness, promote responsible sexual behaviour and secure justice for victims.

We demand that the state:-

1. Imposes mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of raping juveniles.

2. Arrest parents or guardians who are accomplices to juvenile marriages.

3. Outlaw religious sects and cultural sects that promote juvenile marriages.

4. Enhance protection of socio economic rights of the girl child.

5. Enhance social safety measures to eradicate poverty which is a key driver to some juvenile marriages.

6. Urgent and full enforcement of Zimbabwe's Children's Protection and Adoption Act (CPAA).

7. Ratification and domestication of ILO Convention 190 on the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work.

The ZCTU Women’s Committee is prepared to mobilize protests if the above demands are not expeditiously addressed.

For and on Behalf of ZCTU Women’s Committee Secretary Clara Vera

Signed:

ZCTU SECRETARY-GENERAL