Recent statistics on rape and violence against women and girls are very worrying and show that Zimbabwe still needs to work hard to eradicate gender-based violence.
NewsDay comment
Figures recently given by Musasa director Netty Musanhu were that 25% of women and girls in Zimbabwe experienced gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrated mostly by relatives, neighbours and fellow congregates or pastors.
Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development minister Oppah Muchinguri last week gave startling figures indicating that during the months of June to October 4 379 cases of rape were reported, of which 3 046 were committed by juveniles.
The figures are of rape cases only, but they do not include cases of people who suffer other forms of domestic violence — whether males or females, as well as the number of boys or men who have been sodomised during that period.
So the recent Cabinet announcement that government is considering imposing a mandatory 30-year sentence for first time rape offenders and sodomists, and life imprisonment for serial and child rapists is a welcome development.
The move shows Zimbabwe is committed to ending the social scourge. It, however, is saddening to note that some of the reported rape cases and GBV issues were committed by people in leadership positions in society, Parliament and churches.
These people are responsible for making laws and promoting good behaviour, and even if the cases are reported, they always seem to escape prosecution.
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During the 16 days campaign against GBV, it is important that activists should call for prosecution of the “untouchables”, who have ruined the lives of young boys and girls and powerless women.
What really makes one to shudder is the fact that juveniles are said to have committed the most rape cases over five months.
Where has morality gone to? What are parents, religion and schools teaching to the country’s youngsters to the extent that it seems all they think about is sexual pleasure?
What has happened to family values? Cases of incest brought before the courts are increasing daily. Is there anything that Zimbabwe needs to do to protect society from sexual perverts? The Primary and Secondary Education ministry recently said that 237 school children experienced different forms of abuse between January and September this year.
Hence, there is need to ensure that the justice delivery system is not susceptible to corruption because some cases of abuse have been swept under the carpet for various reasons.
People should also bear in mind that there are many silent GBV stories of boys and men that still need to be told and it is rare to get the statistics.
Therefore, Zimbabwe needs to break the stigma associated with reporting such cases, so that relatives and chefs involved in rape and abuse of any form are brought to book without the protection of other family members, positions in society or the courts.
