- The festive season is generally a time of bliss, especially
for children as they receive gifts of all sorts from parents, teachers
and even their own peers.
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- But sadly, this year's Christmas season has a dark gloomy
cloud hanging over it in view of what some children have had to put up
with.
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- Of all woes, defilement has reigned king in Zambia this
year as its rate shoots to astronomical heights.
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- Its cold hand has had no mercy on many a Zambian child,
robbing them of their innocence, peace of mind and ultimately, their very
lives.
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- Those who have survived the horrific ordeal are still
struggling to recoil from its torment while the blood of those who have
died cries for justice from the grave.
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- On November 30, 10-year-old Elizabeth Sampa Malunga of
Lusaka's Nyumba Yanga was defiled by three men and subsequently died on
December 4 at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
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- Before she died, Elizabeth managed to mention the names
of the culprits and according to police spokesperson Brenda Muntemba, police
were catching up on their heels.
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- This grim tale is just a drop in the ocean of a whole
sea of defilement cases reported by the media.
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- It is this scenario that has stirred a series of debates
within and outside Parliament on what should be the lasting solution to
the scourge.
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- First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa has consistently added her
voice to the call for stiffer penalties for child defilers to protect children's
rights.
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- At the peak of her indignation, Mrs Mwanawasa has advocated
for the castration of child defilers to thwart the escalation of the practice.
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- Tagging along with the First Lady's lamentation have
been likes of musician Sista D who has churned out uncompromising lyrics
lashing out against child defilement on the song Vitendeni, meaning "chop
them off."
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- On the contrary, individuals like Dr Robert Mtonga of
Lusaka feel that castration is not the solution since what society was
dealing with essentially was bad traditional practices.
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- "Defilement is an evil which should be condemned
by all but castration won't solve the problem.
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- "The truth is that you cannot legislate human behaviour
just like you cannot uproot deeply entrenched traditional beliefs,"
he said.
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- Dr Mtonga explained that the belief that having sex with
a minor was deeply rooted in some traditions which suggested that coming
into contact with pure blood could cure infections.
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- He said there was need to revisit old customs which upheld
good traditional values where acts such defilement were taboo.
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- In the midst of these views from a cross-section of society,
it is cardinal to realise that the fight against the violation of children's
rights cannot be waged in isolation.
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- It is the global picture that must be projected to evaluate
just how much is being done to protect our children.
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- In this vein, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef)
has been working around the clock to implement the dictates of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
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- Where the aspect of sexual exploitation of children is
concerned, the following plans of action have been put in place.
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- -To take concerted national and international actions
as a matter of urgency to end sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
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- -Raise awareness of the illegality and harmful consequences
of sexual exploitation and abuse, including through the Internet.
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- -Enlist the support of the private sector including the
tourism industry and media for a campaign against sexual exploitation of
children.
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- -Identify and address the underlying causes and the root
factors, including external factors, leading to sexual exploitation of
children and to implement preventive strategies.
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- -Ensure the safety, protection and security of victims
of sexual abuse and provide assistance and services to facilitate their
recovery and social re-integration.
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- -Take the necessary action at all levels, as appropriate,
to criminalise and penalise effectively, in conformity with all relevant
and applicable instruments, all forms of sexual exploitation of children
including within the family or for commercial purposes.
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- With Unicef having opened the gates with the above measures
to slay and bury the monster of child defilement and abuse, it is about
time individual countries consolidated their efforts as well.
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- As Unicef country director in Zambia Stella Goings recently
observed, the future of our children has come under increasing threat.
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- For Zambians, the challenge is first of all to accept
that there is a scourge on our hands that demands prompt reaction by way
of open discussion and then taking affirmative action.
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- Even as the curtains close on the year 2003, the child
defilement plague is one we should seriously ponder - even at the hilt
of festivity.
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- http://allafrica.com/stories/200312100634.html
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