Story by Regis Mhako
LOCAL musician, Mambo Dhuterere has slammed the selfish behaviour by some rogue elements who are robbing children of their health, future and life by abusing them sexually.
A campaign against child sexual exploitation was held in Zvimba Mashonaland West Province where local musician, Mambo Dhuterere aired out his anger at perpetrators of the scourge that is threatening the future of many, especially the girl child.
“Let’s give the girls a chance, Imagine if they fall prey to these people, where will the boys of their generation get potential women for marriage? Some of us seem very selfish,” he said.
A touching testimony by a teen mother during the campaign came as a timely warning for the girl child not to be lured into abuse.
“I first fell in love when I was in form two and got impregnated while in form four and I regret it. However, I had to live my dream and went back to pursue my secondary education after giving birth. Girls take pride in your virginity,” one of the survivirs of sexual abuse told ZBC News.
Other stakeholders had no kind words for perpetrators of the vice, while the government’s efforts to end child sexual exploitation were commended.
“We take exception to the fact that in our district most of the cases of child marriages are in farming communities, said Zvimba DDC, Desmond Gumbochuma.
“We stand by the government of Zimbabwe and commend it for putting up measures to curb child marriages. Sweden will continue to support you in your quest to end the vice,” said Swedish Embassy representative, Batholett Kaboru.
The campaign was mainly attended by schoolgirls who happen to be potential victims of child marriages and were supported by the Government of Zimbabwe, Sweden and other organisations.
