Katete District Commissioner (DC) Joseph Makukula has warned parents in the district to desist from protecting sexual offenders who sexually assault girl children.
Mr Makukula says it has been observed that most parents in the district tend to protect sexual offenders by not reporting the assault to the relevant authorities apart from concealing the sexually assaulted girl child.
“It is sad to note that some parents and other members of the public tend to ignore the need to report cases of child abuse to law enforcement agencies. I wish to warn all that will be found hiding cases of girl child sexual assault in schools that they will not be kindly treated as the law will catch up with them,” he said.
The District Commissioner said this in a speech read on his behalf by Jessey Secondary School Grade 11 Pupil Mary Phiri in Katete today during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child.
He also urged the girl child to be focused in school, to be disciplined and to refrain from engaging in sexual activities.
And Katete District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Ruth Moyo who was represented by Katete Day Secondary School Grade 11 Pupil Elizabeth Nasilele said government believes that they could be no well achieved development without the participation of girl children.
Ms Moyo said government’s intentions were to ensure that girl children were empowered to ensure that they participated in decision making and to enable them contribute to the development of the country.
“The government is trying to empower all the girls by creating more places in schools, colleges and universities so that they attain good education. This will help girls and women to acquire higher positions in all the sectors and contribute positively to national development,” she said.
Meanwhile Plan International Zambia Program Implementation Area Manager Richard Kalyata who was represented by Ng’andu Daka a school leaver said it was critical that the agenda for the girl child was enhanced to ensure that girl child rights become a global political priority.
Indeed. This culture of defiling children should be heavily punishable. If parents do not report such crimes, they should also be punished.
However, age of consent should remain at 16, and 18 for marriage. Otherwise every man in zed will be in jail if this is increased to 21.
Another wishy washy story. What did these sexual offenders do?
I HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY SCHOOL FEES FOR MY DAUGHTER AKACHINDIWA I AM PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR CONCEALING THE ACT THAN KA 12PIN FROM THE COURTS , SO WHAT TO DO NOW?????