Zim Now Writer
Unicef has applauded Zimbabwe for having passed legislation for criminalising adult sexual relations with children by raising the age of consent for sexual relations to 18 years.
The United Nations agency said the decision will contribute to a reduction of sexual abuse of children, which continues to be a menace in the country.
Available data suggests that in Zimbabwe, over a third of girls experience sexual violence before the age of 18 years. For most of these girls, the perpetrators are intimate partners.
In a statement, Unicef said the time to put an end to sexual violence against children has come and with the legislation passed, the country has taken a new step in dealing with sexual abuse of children, which remains too often silent.
“Sexual violence on children has a significant impact on girls and boys who experience it. The effect is both physical as well as psychological.
“It can impact education, create mental disorders, and jeopardise a healthy sexual life at a later age. Sexual violence can lead to an early pregnancy when the girl is not mentally and physically ready to give birth or take care of a baby. Early pregnancies often lead to child marriage and school dropouts, disallowing girls from developing their full potential.
“As we applaud the decision taken to prosecute adults who sexually abuse children, Unicef calls based on the lessons from existing initiatives by the Government and partners, prevention and support programmes must be continued and scaled up. Everybody in Zimbabwe must understand that sexual abuse of children is not acceptable, and they need to act accordingly and speak up,” reads the statement.
The organisation has recommended that government also continues to invest in the prevention of sexual abuse of children and support to victims.
“Children deserve to grow up in a safe environment. It is our shared responsibility to break the silence, to help prevent sexual abuse of children, and by extension all forms of violence against children, and to ensure children that are victims of violence, abuse and exploitation get the attention, assistance and support they need.
“Based on the lessons from existing initiatives by the Government and partners, prevention and support programmes must be continued and scaled up.
“Everybody in Zimbabwe must understand that sexual abuse of children is not acceptable, and they need to act accordingly and speak up.
“Children deserve to grow up in a safe environment. It is our shared responsibility to break the silence, to help prevent sexual abuse of children, and by extension all forms of violence against children, and to ensure children that are victims of violence, abuse and exploitation get the attention, assistance and support they need,” further reads the statement.
Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa invoked the Presidential Powers Act to amend the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which will see paedophiles serving up to 10 years in prison for having sex with girls below the age of 18.
Before the amendment, the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act defined a young person as one who is below 16 years, which made young girls prone to sexual abuse.
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