In recent weeks, Zambia has witnessed a disturbing increase in child rape incidents, prompting citizens in Lusaka to rally for stricter legal repercussions for offenders.
Zambians Demand Justice Amid Alarming Rise in Child Rape Cases
Zambians Demand Justice Amid Alarming Rise in Child Rape Cases
Protests erupt in Lusaka as citizens call for tougher laws against child sexual abuse.
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A protest march took place in Lusaka, Zambia, as outraged citizens sought justice in light of an alarming rise in child rape cases over the past two months. With reports detailing horrific incidents, including a father allegedly raping his seven-year-old daughter while she received cancer treatment in a hospital, the Zambian community has been shaken to its core. Other egregious cases involve a five-year-old victim of a gang rape and a father who was sentenced for raping his six-year-old daughter and infecting her with genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection.
In response to this growing crisis, Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu has suggested drastic measures, advocating for the castration of child rapists to deter future offenses. “As a nation, we must reflect on how low we have sunk. This societal decay demands urgent attention, beyond mere legislative remedies,” she expressed during a parliamentary session.
The protest on Thursday saw a coalition of civil society groups, artists, and concerned citizens demanding that the government reform laws to impose harsher penalties for child rapists, specifically calling for a provision that would deny bail to those accused of such heinous acts. Vice-President Mutale Nalumango received their petition, acknowledging the collective responsibility of Zambians to combat this issue.
Participants, including noted musician Daputsa Nkhata-Zulu, known as Sista D, emphasized the urgent need to foster a safe environment for children. “Castration is necessary for the safety of our children and to strip these predators of their pride,” she stated during the demonstration.
According to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, the country has seen a staggering rise in gender-based violence (GBV) cases involving children, surpassing 10,000 incidents in the last three months of 2024, mostly concentrated in Lusaka. Last year alone, over 32,000 individuals sought counseling for GBV, as noted in the Zambia Police's annual data analysis.
The protests mark a critical moment for Zambia as citizens unite to advocate for the protection of vulnerable children and ally against the pervasive culture of violence and abuse.
A protest march took place in Lusaka, Zambia, as outraged citizens sought justice in light of an alarming rise in child rape cases over the past two months. With reports detailing horrific incidents, including a father allegedly raping his seven-year-old daughter while she received cancer treatment in a hospital, the Zambian community has been shaken to its core. Other egregious cases involve a five-year-old victim of a gang rape and a father who was sentenced for raping his six-year-old daughter and infecting her with genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection.
In response to this growing crisis, Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu has suggested drastic measures, advocating for the castration of child rapists to deter future offenses. “As a nation, we must reflect on how low we have sunk. This societal decay demands urgent attention, beyond mere legislative remedies,” she expressed during a parliamentary session.
The protest on Thursday saw a coalition of civil society groups, artists, and concerned citizens demanding that the government reform laws to impose harsher penalties for child rapists, specifically calling for a provision that would deny bail to those accused of such heinous acts. Vice-President Mutale Nalumango received their petition, acknowledging the collective responsibility of Zambians to combat this issue.
Participants, including noted musician Daputsa Nkhata-Zulu, known as Sista D, emphasized the urgent need to foster a safe environment for children. “Castration is necessary for the safety of our children and to strip these predators of their pride,” she stated during the demonstration.
According to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, the country has seen a staggering rise in gender-based violence (GBV) cases involving children, surpassing 10,000 incidents in the last three months of 2024, mostly concentrated in Lusaka. Last year alone, over 32,000 individuals sought counseling for GBV, as noted in the Zambia Police's annual data analysis.
The protests mark a critical moment for Zambia as citizens unite to advocate for the protection of vulnerable children and ally against the pervasive culture of violence and abuse.
