Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Non Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has noted with sadness the defilement of a nine- month old girl of Kulundu Township in Monze by an unknown person.
NGOCC Executive Director Engwase Mwale has told Qfm news in a statement that her organization is particularly distressed because this incident comes only a day after another man was reported to have been has been convicted of defiling and strangling his 35-months-old daughter besides the death of a woman in Chiengi who died after being battered by the husband over a maize dispute.
Ms. Mwale says the NGOCC has noted with great concern the new trend of defiling babies which has become endemic in Zambia.
She says her organization therefore appeals to government to declare Gender Based Violence (GBV) a national disaster and make the addressing the scourge a priority area.
The NGOCC Executive Director says her organization however commends the courts who have continued to pass harsher punishment for offenders but that more efforts need to be put in place to stop the incidences of GBV as the harsher punishment does not seem to reduce the cases of GBV.
She says her organization is also call upon the Zambian community to uphold the country’s morals and adhere to Christian teaching so as to stop the devastating effects of GBV in this country.
Mr. Mwale says NGOCC condemns some traditional healers who mislead some men in believing that defiling children would cure HIV/AIDS and bring riches.
She has called upon the public to be alert of this misconception and support us in condemning this vice and that her organization further calls for the creation of social welfare schools where parents who face challenges regarding child care can receive support.