Muslim women condemn girl defilement
By Ludia Ngwadzai
THE Lusaka Muslim Women’s Organisation has expressed deep concern over the continued defilement of young girls in the country.
In an interview with The Mast yesterday, organisation chairperson Theresa Kuluneta described the situation as both evil and deeply saddening.
Kuluneta called for urgent action to protect children and hold perpetrators accountable.
She said it was unfortunate that defilement and other sexual abuse cases had continued to rise despite several appeals from various organisations and stakeholders.
“It is truly disheartening to see that despite our collective efforts to raise awareness and push for change, these heinous crimes continue to plague our communities affecting the future of our girl child,” Kuluneta said.
She urged parents to always be vigilant and cautious, warning that no one could be trusted to protect a girl child anymore.
“Parents need to ensure that their children do not move or loiter on their own without being safeguarded,” she said.
Kuluneta urged families take a more proactive role in protecting their children.
She appealed to the government to take decisive action against perpetrators, insisting that those found guilty of defiling children should be jailed without fail.
“It is truly sad that girls as young as months are being defiled by people we call relatives, people who are supposed to protect them. Some of these defilers do this for rituals, believing it will bring them wealth or power.
Our children are not safe. Parents, let’s safeguard our children. The world has become cruel,” she said.
Kuluneta said it was heartbreaking that no day could pass without a girl child being defiled.
“It’s heartbreaking that a day never passes without the country recording a defilement case. Let’s protect our girl children at all costs. We need to increase efforts to protect the girl child,” he said.
The organisation’s appeal comes amid growing concerns about the safety of the girl child in the country, with many questioning the effectiveness of existing measures to prevent child abuse.
