About 76% of women who fall prey to sexual offences during their early childhood or teenage life risk facing marital dissatisfaction which leads to persistent GBV cases, marriage break-ups and single parenthood in their adult life according to a health data analysis survey.
The survey has estimated that teenage girls who happen to be survivors of defilement, child marriage, or abusive homes usually develop socio-psychological disorders and are likely to exhibit strong resentment towards men especially if violence was used in the process.
A team of Journalists working on the International Center For Journalists (ICFJ)’s Health Reporting Fellowship story project conducted a survey in Livingstone, and Kazungula from October 2016 to March 2017.
A Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) which contained 25 questions cutting across, physiological action, socio-psychological effects, and general conduct of 50 teenage and 40 adult single mothers.
The respondents,90, in total where asked whether they experienced sexual abuse before; if aggression was used in the ordeal; what other factors contributed to them remaining single; and the Key question what is their perception of men since the incidence.
From the total population 68 respondents have been sexually abused either at an early childhood or adolescent stage during which stage aggression was used.
From this category 30 respondents later in life fell prey to teenage pregnancy out of which 22 happened to be survivors of child marriage and other forms of Gender Based Violence (GBVs) while the remaining 38 showed signs of hatred towards men hence resorted to singleness.
13 respondents out of the total populations resorted to single motherhood after divorce, death of a spouse and other marital conflicts commonly among them failed weddings while the remaining 9 where either not responsive to the interview or are lost follow-ups.
The findings varied from urban to rural setups and differences in age when the trauma occurred with many interviewees based in urban areas that where victimized at early childhood showings signs of abhorrence and aggression for men.
The women from a rural background mainly who survived child marriage only developed hatred for men after failing to sustain at least two marriage engagements as a result of their traumatic experiences as teens.
One of the respondents Alice(real name withheld) of Livingstone’s Ngwenya compound, a single mother who earns a living as a street vendor along the Corridors of the Livingstone’s Central Business District described her teenage life experience as a nightmare.
“My step-father would beat me up and force himself on me whenever he met me with a male friend and since then I hated him and hated any person who looked like him in terms of stature or appearance.In the end I developed a dislike for men. I ran away from home, tried marriage but I could not enjoy,” narrated Alice.
A 27 year old school teacher who fell pregnant at age 13 after being defiled by an unknown men was among the respondents.
“I have had two marriage break-ups since that happened and whenever I try to be in a relationship it doesn’t just work for me so I have just decided to move on,” she said.
The Survey was further complimented by news story interviews with teacher and child rights activists.
“Defilement is one of the factors which affects a child differently depending on the circumstance in which the minor is sexually abused.Others become naughty go into prostitution while others develop disgust for men, a situation that would affect their love life in the future,” Ms Christine Mutikitela,a child rights activist based in Livingstone said during an interview.
Meanwhile the Data Survey also found that the women in such circumstances become potential aggressors if not counseled and rehabilitated.
In Livingstone, the GBV clinic and Lushomo trust home is a notable institution that offers rehabilitation and counseling to sexually abused children while the Young Women Christians Association (YWCA) offers shelter and protection to GBV survivors.
Start penal code education for all youngsters iin school. Private/public institutions ABUSE is super common.
LAZ should be the first advocate for this -given their president’s gender but alas politics has taken over.
‘Children are the mirrors of the homes, communities and societies they are nurtured or abandoned in’ – @Africanindiaspo
Mushota fits this profile perfectly??
Lol that’s just rude!
Description on one (London Airport Toilet Cleaner) Mushota with there 15 years courtship to one white boy Nick.
Stop abusing Mushota please.
Airport toilet cleaning sounds as a great job. Not easy to get.
Investigate males as well, they have physical power, we heal them we solve GBV!
When David was smashing women all over the place..it had zero impact on him….not until he got carried away and decide to take what God had already given to another man and a loyal man at that…David loved women..even killed for one. He was extremely close to God, I wonder how he was so horny when he spent so much time in worship.
That girl looks like tasila.
The statement is true. Even women who go out with a lot of men before getting married fall in this category.
Tiyenei muka zinyengesa chabe i wish you listened to expert uwa ku tombwa kalebalika bane. This survey is not representative of womens feelings because the sample space is too small.