Citizens rallied in response to harrowing incidents of child rape, advocating for legislative changes to protect the youth and ensure harsher penalties for offenders.
Zambians Demand Justice Amid Alarming Spike in Child Rape Cases
Zambians Demand Justice Amid Alarming Spike in Child Rape Cases
A wave of protests has erupted in Lusaka, Zambia, driven by recent, alarming reports of childhood sexual abuse.
In the wake of horrendous crimes against children, many Zambians took to the streets to voice their outrage as authorities vowed to take stronger action against perpetrators of such heinous acts.
In a powerful response to a disturbing trend of child rape in Zambia, citizens filled the streets of Lusaka on Thursday to protest against recent reports of sexual violence targeting the most vulnerable members of society. Over the past two months, a series of shocking incidents has come to light, including the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl by her father while she was in a hospital receiving treatment for cancer. There are also reports of a five-year-old victimized by a group of men, and a case where another father was sentenced for raping his six-year-old daughter and subsequently infecting her with genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection.
The rising tide of violence has prompted Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu to call for extreme measures including the castration of child rapists, highlighting a growing frustration with the moral decline in society. “How low can we go as a nation? It is sickening,” she expressed during a parliamentary session. This rallying cry for justice has been echoed by civil society organizations, musicians, and other concerned citizens who participated in the protest.
As a symbolic gesture, they presented a petition to Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, demanding the enactment of laws that would eliminate bail opportunities for those accused of child rape. Nalumango acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the collective responsibility of Zambians to confront these challenges.
Musician Daputsa Nkhata-Zulu, known as Sista D, was vocal during the protests, advocating for the need to create a safer environment for children. She asserted that child rapists should face severe punishment to remove their perceived pride of manhood, stating, "They don't deserve it."
Recent statistics from the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation reveal that more than 10,000 cases of gender-based violence involving children have been reported in just three months of 2024, primarily in the capital. The Zambia Police reported that over 32,000 individuals availed themselves of counseling services related to gender-based violence last year, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change.
In a powerful response to a disturbing trend of child rape in Zambia, citizens filled the streets of Lusaka on Thursday to protest against recent reports of sexual violence targeting the most vulnerable members of society. Over the past two months, a series of shocking incidents has come to light, including the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl by her father while she was in a hospital receiving treatment for cancer. There are also reports of a five-year-old victimized by a group of men, and a case where another father was sentenced for raping his six-year-old daughter and subsequently infecting her with genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection.
The rising tide of violence has prompted Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu to call for extreme measures including the castration of child rapists, highlighting a growing frustration with the moral decline in society. “How low can we go as a nation? It is sickening,” she expressed during a parliamentary session. This rallying cry for justice has been echoed by civil society organizations, musicians, and other concerned citizens who participated in the protest.
As a symbolic gesture, they presented a petition to Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, demanding the enactment of laws that would eliminate bail opportunities for those accused of child rape. Nalumango acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the collective responsibility of Zambians to confront these challenges.
Musician Daputsa Nkhata-Zulu, known as Sista D, was vocal during the protests, advocating for the need to create a safer environment for children. She asserted that child rapists should face severe punishment to remove their perceived pride of manhood, stating, "They don't deserve it."
Recent statistics from the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation reveal that more than 10,000 cases of gender-based violence involving children have been reported in just three months of 2024, primarily in the capital. The Zambia Police reported that over 32,000 individuals availed themselves of counseling services related to gender-based violence last year, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change.
