The Non Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) is deeply saddened with the rape and gruesome murder of the eight months pregnant woman in Katete, Eastern Province.
The rape and murder of the pregnant woman are barbaric acts, which are totally unacceptable in a country that proclaims herself to be a Christian nation. It is evil of the worst order to murder a pregnant woman, as two lives are lost. At eight months, the baby was fully developed and therefore these criminals terminated the life of an innocent soul.
We therefore call upon the police to immediately institute investigations and bring the perpetrators to book. There is need for society to safeguard the safety of women and children. There should be justice for the family of the woman and for all the women and girls in the country whose rights are violated. Violence against women is not a women’s issue, it’s a human rights issue.
NGOCC specifically appeals to the Government to ensure that ALL citizens are protected against such murderous criminals. It is the responsibility of Government to protect and ensure that all citizens are safe.
Meanwhile, NGOCC also condemns in the strongest terms the rape of a 17-year-old girl of Magazine Compound in Chipata by a suspected police office. As an organisation, we have taken keen interest in this rape case especially that a police officer who is supposed to protect citizens is involved. We hope that the culprit in the Chipata rape case will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
Gender based violence(GBV) is preventable, not inevitable. Sustained implementation of the GBV Act of 2011 and the setting up of Special Courts should be key priorities. We therefore, call upon government to quickly set up the fast track court system because the justice system is key to addressing the problem.
The murder and rape cases against women reported in Eastern province demonstrate that there is need for society to safeguard the safety of women.
NGOCC has further noted that despite progress being made in securing convictions in a number of rape and murder cases of women, there seems to be lack of expertise in investigating cases and bringing to book some perpetrators due to lack of forensic laboratory services to handle sexual offences.
We ask that government sets GBV as a priority area and put up an appropriate forensic laboratory that will ensure that those who commit such offences are brought to book. Every girl and woman should be able to live safely, feel protected, and grow up free of violence.
As the year is moving closer to the 16 Days of activism against GBV, let us as a country seriously reflect on ways in which we shall combat all forms of GBV. Let us join hands as communities and look after one another. Let us ensure that these perpetrators are apprehended. Let us stand up, speak out and let Zambia be a safe haven for its residents .
A murder of a defenceless pregnant woman is unbearable and intolerable.
for/NGOCC
Engwase B. Mwale
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The men who did this need to have their pen…is amputated
Murder is bad from any angle you look at it
But lets us not judge before we get the facts, it might be that she provoked the attack!
As a woman I sympathise.
I dont like to judge anyone until all the facts are out, as you will all agree with me
Thanks
This story shows just how inhumane this world has become. It makes very sad reading that, the respect for human life has been eroded. What happened to the respect we had for one another; let alone for the pregnant women?
Culprits in this matter should just be hanged… What did she do so wrong fo her to be raped and killed…with a full grown baby in her womb? The Police should do everything to bring these cowards to book; and they should pay in full…for the 2 lives they destroyed.
**people that do these kind of things, not even HELL is enough for them…i bet they will be rejected even in HELL**
Zambian women shame on all of you for not being out there unleashing your fury and demanding justice and a man hunt.
@ mushota u always hav contrary views,a woman is killed and u r busy sayin she kud hav provoked the attack.even if she provoked tha attack does that justify her death? Y do u always sabaila? Shud I put it to u dat maybe u r mad?
@Mushota, I rarely comment here but after seeing your post I am led to believe that you are an immature *****. Are you serious in thinking that someone would initiate their own rape and subsequent murder?
You as a female, would you seriously think in that manner? I wonder how some of you people sleep at night man, its unbelievable.