Calvin Manika
AS the world commemorates 16 days of activism against gender-based violence the attention is on children, who suffer in silence from the phenomenon.
Annually, from 25 November, the world notes gender-based violence up to 10 December.
The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, and continue to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.
For most, gender-based violence entails violations against women and girls.
But, unbeknown to many is that, children suffer in silence from the violence.
According to the World Health Organisation 2005 report almost 53,000 children under 18 years old died as a result of homicide worldwide.
On average, 3 in 4 children ages 2–14 are reported to be subjected to some kind of violent discipline, more often psychological than physical.
UNICEF 2011 report highlighted that three-quarters of children experienced psychological aggression, and about half experienced physical punishment.
World Health Organisation has estimated that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under the age of 18 have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact.
The 2005 WHO “Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and domestic violence against women” found that from 1 to 21 percent of women surveyed experienced sexual abuse before the age of 15. Between 3 and 29 percent of men experienced some form of sexual abuse during childhood.
A South Africa based Children rights activist, Chiiko Marombedza said: “Children face sexual exploitation by people who have an emotional or professional relationship with the child and who exploit their position of trust and power. Children are also sexually exploited by abusers or third parties with commercial or other exploitative interests.
“The child parliament has a paramount role to be active throughout the year in fighting for their space and voice to be heard. As far as we don’t want to disturb learning of children but their participation should increase in ending violence against them.”
Save the Children Zimbabwe has been working to end sexual violence through provision of age and gender-sensitive response services for girls and boys, advocacy work addressing national laws and policies, promoting online safety and prevent child marriages and female genital mutilation/cutting.
While on the other end, Justice for Children is working towards bringing justice to children through legal representation and activities to end violence against children.
Rutendo Mapfumo, a media practitioner based in Hwange, feels that there is an urgent cause for the Child Parliament of Zimbabwe to work with strategic partners like BMT, Justice for Children, Save the Children, Padare Ekhundleni Men’s forum on gender, Plan international and other stakeholders to zero in on issues around gender violence affecting children in communities.
“As children representatives the Child Parliament must employ aggressive measures to influence the legislature and the judiciary on punishing the offenders,” said Mapfumo.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a child as a male or female person under the age of 18 years.
Children are affected by the violence which the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines as an “intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development or deprivation,” this definition is identical with the definition of same in article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Violence against children is a broad term that is used to include deliberate behaviour by people against children that is likely to cause physical or psychological harm,” said Inness Magamure, a child rights defender from Lupane.
“After 16 days of activism against gender based violence, the child parliament should now work on child protection issues, these measures are (legislative, administrative, social, and educational) taken to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse against children (including commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labour, and harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation/cutting and child marriage),” added Magamure.
Magnitude of gender based violence is a worldwide concern that occurs in all countries and societies, and within all social, economic, religious, and cultural groups.
However, in a few societies Gender Based Violence prevalence is very low.
Of prevalent in Matabeleland North has been Sexual Gender Based Violence which is a form of Gender-Based Violence referring to violence that targets individuals or groups on the basis of their gender.
It has been widely acknowledged that the majority of persons affected by gender-based violence are women and girls.
Sexual violence occurs everywhere in society, in the home, in communities, in schools and work places, in public spheres and in institutions.
Risks for boys and men can include sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, general and psychological health concerns, substance abuse, reduced productivity and reassertion of their masculinity by repeating their own victimization but in the role of perpetrator.
Sexual violence and gender-based violence has also become very common in conflicts and emergencies like natural disasters and their aftermath.
Unfortunately, sexual violence and abuse is also quite common after the major crisis is finished for example after the Tokwe – Mukosi dam disaster when people where settled in a temporary camp.
When in relief camps it is easy for people to abuse their power and ask for sexual favours in exchange for basic necessities.
Mpendulo Sibanda said: “In all these instances children need protection by the law as they are the most vulnerable group”.
Survivors of sexual assaults are vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies, psychological trauma, HIV and AIDS, and other diseases.
