News / Health
Senators alarmed by surge in girl child sexual abuse cases
2 hrs ago |
68 Views

Zimbabwean senators have raised alarm over the escalating cases of sexual abuse against girl children, describing the crisis as a national emergency that demands urgent legislative and societal intervention.
During a parliamentary debate, Senator Maybe Mbohwa delivered a powerful and emotionally charged address, citing disturbing statistics and real-life cases that underscore the scale and brutality of the abuse.
"In 2022, ZIMSTAT recorded 22 cases of children murdered by their own parents or guardians. In that same year, 58% of the 435 rape cases involved minors," she said. "Fast forward to 2024, the Prosecutor General revealed a chilling average of 30 child rape cases daily. What madness is this?"
Mbohwa highlighted the 20,000 cases received by Childline Zimbabwe in 2023, with 15% involving sexual abuse and early child marriages. She recounted harrowing incidents, including ritual abuse, incest, and gang rape, and condemned the culture of silence and concealment within families and communities.
She warned that economic hardship, overcrowding, and misinformation were exacerbating the crisis, while weak forensic systems and delayed reporting were allowing perpetrators to escape justice.
Mbohwa also called attention to the abuse of spiritual authority by religious leaders and the underreporting of male child victims, urging Parliament to address gaps in Zimbabwe's fragmented child protection laws.
She proposed comprehensive reforms, including:
- A national child protection database
- Mandatory reporting laws with strict penalties
- Systems to track habitual offenders
- Strengthening penalties for sexual offences, especially against boys
- Harmonizing statutes to close legal loopholes
Referencing international models from South Africa, Zambia, and Sweden, Mbohwa urged Zimbabwe to adopt robust legal frameworks to protect children from sexual exploitation.
"Never again shall our daughters be sacrificed on the altar of silence. Never again shall our justice system betray them. Never again shall rape define the character of Zimbabwe," she declared.
During a parliamentary debate, Senator Maybe Mbohwa delivered a powerful and emotionally charged address, citing disturbing statistics and real-life cases that underscore the scale and brutality of the abuse.
"In 2022, ZIMSTAT recorded 22 cases of children murdered by their own parents or guardians. In that same year, 58% of the 435 rape cases involved minors," she said. "Fast forward to 2024, the Prosecutor General revealed a chilling average of 30 child rape cases daily. What madness is this?"
Mbohwa highlighted the 20,000 cases received by Childline Zimbabwe in 2023, with 15% involving sexual abuse and early child marriages. She recounted harrowing incidents, including ritual abuse, incest, and gang rape, and condemned the culture of silence and concealment within families and communities.
She warned that economic hardship, overcrowding, and misinformation were exacerbating the crisis, while weak forensic systems and delayed reporting were allowing perpetrators to escape justice.
She proposed comprehensive reforms, including:
- A national child protection database
- Mandatory reporting laws with strict penalties
- Systems to track habitual offenders
- Strengthening penalties for sexual offences, especially against boys
- Harmonizing statutes to close legal loopholes
Referencing international models from South Africa, Zambia, and Sweden, Mbohwa urged Zimbabwe to adopt robust legal frameworks to protect children from sexual exploitation.
"Never again shall our daughters be sacrificed on the altar of silence. Never again shall our justice system betray them. Never again shall rape define the character of Zimbabwe," she declared.
Source - Byo24News
Join the discussion
Loading comments…