Rogue Traditional Healers Fuel Sexual Abuse, Child...

Rogue Traditional Healers Fuel Sexual Abuse, Child Marriages in Mash West

MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA IN MUTORASHANGA

Zim Now Reporter

Whilst various efforts are being made by Government and several stakeholders to protect girls from sexual violence; false and evil guidance by rogue traditional healers to their clients, is perpetuating the vice.

In most cases, rogue traditional healers mislead their clients that in order for them to become rich or to be healed of certain diseases, they have to be sexually intimate with young girls.

This was revealed by Headman Katizagombo from Zvimba last Friday, during the International Women’s Day commemorations at Mutorashanga Stadium in Mutorashanga, Mashonaland West.

The commemorations were hosted by Population Solutions for Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

Through the “Give Me A Chance” initiative, PSH is working with several stakeholders to tackle child marriages which continue to be a cause for concern not only in Mash West Province but the country at large.

“We have an issue that is now very common in our communities, someone will go to a traditional healer to get charms to become rich and they are told that in order for the charms to work, they have to have sex with their children. Or someone will be told to rape a girl as young as 3 years.

“That is why when the police were making their presentation today, you heard them saying that some people are sexually abusing their children, it is because of such false and evil guidance from rogue traditional healers.

“In our culture we say it is taboo for such acts, but sadly when people want to make money, they are desperate to try anything and everything, but we are saying this is wrong and it should come to a stop.

“Such directives for people to rape three year olds or other young ages, are coming from rogue traditional healers and this is evil.

“Some people will be told that to be healed of their ailments, they have to commit such crimes but we are saying it’s wrong.

“So we are saying that together with the Government and other stakeholders, we want to combine forces and bring this to a stop, such that those traditional healers who are involved in evil schemes and the perpetrators should be arrested,” said Headman Katizagombo.

He also castigated rampant child marriages that have continued to be witnessed in the community, as he added that more needed to be done to get rid of this scourge.

Headman Katizagombo further advised girls to focus on school so that they can be empowered.

“The women you see on this stage today managed to get where they are because they stayed in school and excelled.

“Don’t rush to get married, being married is not development, being married is not a job.

“Parents it’s not an achievement to marry off your young child, you should know that you are destroying your child’s future. Allow your children to go to school and chase after their dreams so that they can have a better tomorrow.

“I’m heartbroken to know that there are people still marrying off young girls, this should stop,” charged Headman Katizagombo.

A female member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police who also spoke at the commemorations shared worrying issues as she said Mash West was witnessing a surge in the number of women and girls facing various forms of abuse.

“Our girls are being raped, they are being made to indulge in sexual activities or they are being married at such tender ages and it worries us to think what will become of their future.

“So as the police we are saying all this should be stopped forthwith. “Statistics are showing that relatives and other people we live close, are actually making the highest number of perpetrators sexually abusing girls.

“So I’m saying it is really important for us to try and make sure that our children are safe because here in Mashonaland West, we have cases of fathers who are raping their children, so this is also worrying us as the police.

“Here in our province, even the youngest ages you are can never imagine, are being raped or being made to engage in sex.

“Our Constitution is very clear, it prohibits sexual relations with anyone younger than 18 years and even marriage.

“So even if your child who is younger than 18 comes and says I want to get married, you should tell them that the law prohibits such.

“But in some cases, we see parents presiding over lobola ceremonies for girls under 18 years and this is wrong,” said the female cop.

She added that it was sad that most perpetrators were being protected for various reasons.

In some cases she said; perpetrators are being protected because they are the sole bread winners or closely related to the victim’s family, but that had to stop.

“We are calling on traditional leaders to give us your support so that when you hear of such cases, please bring them to us so that perpetrators are brought to book.

“And for women who are suffering from gender based violence, get help, don’t suffer in silence. And also for those who witness such things, you can even report anonymous, it is really important to save lives,” she added.

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said women and girls continue to face many challenges that hinder their full potential, hence more needed to be done to improve their wellbeing.

“Women and girls should be empowered and protected and there should be measures put in place to make sure that it is possible, starting with the law.

“We are happy with efforts that are being made to ensure that women and girls are empowered and we applaud the success stories they (women and girls) they continue to achieve,” said Minister Chombo.

Varaidzo Mabhunu from PSH, said IWD was not only meant to look at the successes of women but at the same time, the challenges they are facing so that they can be have better lives and be protected from all forms of violence.

“Through all our collaborative efforts, we want to see to it that women and girls are protected, we want to see that girls are not married off hence we have different programmes including this one called “Give Me A Chance”.

“Girls need opportunities to grow and realise their dreams so I’m really happy with the words from the Headman because that’s also our call to say that girls should be empowered.

“So we want to also thank the Embassy of Sweden because they support this initiative and we also thank other ministries that support this programme.

“So everyone should look at how they treat women and girls so that we have a better society where they are safe from any form of violence,” she added.