PRESS STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MPS) SODOMY INCIDENT HELD AT MEDIA NETWORK ON CHILD RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT (MNCRD) OFFICE IN LUSAKA THURSDAY 1ST ON SEPTEMBER, 2022

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PRESS STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MPS) SODOMY INCIDENT HELD AT MEDIA NETWORK ON CHILD RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT (MNCRD) OFFICE IN LUSAKA THURSDAY 1ST ON SEPTEMBER, 2022

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THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MPS)
REPRESENTATIVES FROM CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

By Itezhi Tezhi United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament (MP) Twambo Mutinta Twambo Mutinta and Nalolo Party of National Unity and Progress (PNUP) Imanga Wamunyima MP Media Network for Child Rights and Development (MNCRD) Executive Director Henry Kabwe at 10hrs on Thursday, 1st September, 2022

WE HAVE CALLED FOR THIS PRESS CONFERENCE TO REACT TO THE RECENT AUDIO THAT EXPOSED A CASE OF SODOMY AMONG CHILDREN.
WE, THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MPS) THAT HAVE JOINED FORCES ACROSS POLITICAL PARTY LINES TO ADVOCATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN ZAMBIA AGAINST SEXUAL AS COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION (CSE) HAVE RECEIVED THE NEWS OF AN INCIDENT REPORTED BY A MOTHER OF A CHILD WHO WAS BEING SODOMIZED WITH GREAT SADNESS.
THIS INCIDENT IS A CLARION CALL FOR PARENTS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES OR RELIGIOUS LEADERS, RELEVANT GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES AS WELL AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES AFFECTING BOTH GIRLS AND BOYS.

IN MANY OF OUR INTERVENTIONS, THERE HAS BEEN EMPHASIS ON THE GIRLS LEAVING PERPETRATORS OF ABUSE OF BOYS FREE TO CONTINUE COMMITTING ATROCITIES AGAINST CHILDREN IN OUR COUNTRY AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR AN ALERT MOTHER, SUCH ABUSE SHOULD HAVE CONTINUED.

WE ARE VERY SURE THAT THE CHILDREN THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THIS ACT LEARNED FROM ADULTS. LAWS ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD GET TO THE ROOT OF THIS ISSUE AND ESTABLISH THE SOURCE OF SUCH UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR.

WE APPEAL TO PARENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO TAKE INTEREST IN THE PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING OF THEIR CHILDREN. PARENTS AND GUARDIANS SHOULD TALK TO THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT THE NEED TO REPORT CASES WHERE ANOTHER PERSON IS ABUSING A CHILD THROUGH TOUCH OR SEXUAL ABUSE.

WE APPEAL TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE THAT THE COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION OR CSE CURRICULUM IS ENFORCED IN EVERY SCHOOL AS SOME TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY THAT MAY BE ABUSING CHILDREN, ARE REPORTED TO BE AVOIDING IT. WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN GET INFORMATION FROM SCHOOLS BECAUSE THOSE WHOSE PARENTS MAY BE PERPETRATORS WILL FIND AN OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO INSIST ON PARENTING SKILLS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE CHILDREN AND NOT LEAD THEM INTO DIVERS ACTS THAT OCCUR BECAUSE OF LACK OF PARENTAL CARE, GUIDANCE AND/OR LOVE.

WE URGE THE MEDIA TO INFLUENCE THESE ISSUES FOR EVERY PARENTS OR GUARDIAN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COUNTRY BY RAISING RESPONSIBLE, PROTECTED AND CONFIDENT CITIZENS.

THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CAN INTRODUCE A REPORTING SYSTEM WHERE CASES OF SEXUAL ABUSE CAN BE RELAYED SUCH AS THE OFFICE OF THE SCHOOL GUIDANCE TEACHERS OR SUGGESTION BOXES PLACED IN CHILD FRIENDLY SPACES. THIS SHOULD BE COUPLED WITH THE POPULARIZATION OF THE TOLL FREE LINE – 116 – A CHILDHELPLINE THAT CAN GUARANTEE CHILDREN ACCESS TO HELP. A NUMBER OF CHILDREN HAVE KEPT QUIET ABOUT ABUSES BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR HELP.

WE URGE CIVIL SOCIETY, COOPERATING PARTNERS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO INCLUDE REACHING OUT TO BOYS IN THEIR PROGRAMMING. IF SEXUAL ABUSE IS MAINLY PERPETRATED BY BOYS AND MEN, IT IS ONLY WISE TO ENGAGE THEM TO ENSURE THAT THEIR GOOD BEHAVIORAL TRAITS PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE GIRLS AND WOMEN.

WHILE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENACTING THE CHILDREN’S CODE BILL, WE ARE CALLING ON THE MEDIA TO POPULARIZE TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING CHILDREN IN ZAMBIA. WE ALSO REPEAL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ONCE MORE TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHILDREN’S CODE BILL BEFORE IT EVEN GETS PRESIDENTIAL ASSENT.

WE SYMPATHIZE WITH THE MOTHER OF THE CHILDREN AND OTHER PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN ABUSED BEFORE.
WE URGE THE CHILDREN TO REPORT ALL CASES OF ABUSE AND ATTEMPTED ABUSE.

THE CULTURE OF SILENCE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE CONTINUED ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES AND IT IS TIME THEY CAME OUT TO STOP THE VICE.

WE PLEDGE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH WELL MEANING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OUR CONSTITUENCIES, CIVIL SOCIETY ACTORS, LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO PROMOTE THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE.

WE SHALL CONTINUE SENSITIZING THE PUBLIC SO THAT CASES OF PEDOPHILIA (ADULTS WHO ARE SEXUALLY ATTRACTED TO CHILDREN) ARE PROSECUTED FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO BE KEPT AWAY FROM THE SOCIETY.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS URGED TO BE ALERT AND CHALLENGE ANYONE SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILDREN.
THANK YOU

By Itezhi Tezhi United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament (MP) Twambo Mutinta Twambo Mutinta and Nalolo Party of National Unity and Progress (PNUP) Imanga Wamunyima MP Media Network for Child Rights and Development (MNCRD) Executive Director Henry Kabwe at 10hrs on Thursday, 1st September, 2022