One child raped every four hours in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children (ZNCWC)  has released shock statistics indicating that at least one child is raped every four hours in Zimbabwe.

It was revealed that 2 600 girls are sexually abused annually, translating to 216 girls being raped every month.

The figures show that more than seven girls are raped every day, figures which authorities say are cause for concern.

ZNCWC official Maxim Murungweni is quoted saying they were concerned that incidence of child rape continued to rise.

"What is happening in our country is a sad development.

"Instead of us protecting children we become a danger to them.

"This is not welcome in society and I encourage all stakeholders and policymakers to unite and come up with serious punishment for perpetrators."

Murungweni said what was further worrying was that these were only recorded statistics and more children might be abused, but this remains undocumented.

"There are many cases that go unreported and these have created an environment that is not safe for the children," he said.

Some of these rape cases are said to be related to cultural backgrounds and girls tend to be victims.