THE International Network of Religious Leaders Living with/affected with HIV/Aids (INERELA) has issued a clarion call for urgent action to protect minors from paedophiles.
In a statement, INERELA Zimbabwe country director Paul Juru said there was need for tough laws against sexual predators.
“As champions for sexual and reproductive health rights, we, INERELA Zimbabwe and HIVOS East and Southern Africa Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Fund, are deeply concerned about government’s delay in finalising protective legislation for children,” the statement read.
“Despite the Constitutional Court’s ruling in May 2022, the necessary amendments to the Criminal Law Code [Codification and Reform Act] have yet to be signed into law, leaving children aged 16-18 vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse.”
In 2022, the Constitutional Court ruled that the legal age of consent for sex should be raised to 18 from 16, a judgment welcomed by many in a country where rights groups say teen pregnancies are forcing hundreds of girls out of school.
The case was brought by two women who were married as children.
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Many welcomed the ruling hoping that criminalising sex with underage girls would help to reduce cases of teen pregnancies and child marriages.
Juru, however, said the existing legislative gap put thousands of children at risk of sexual exploitation, abuse and long-term trauma.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer as everyday that passes puts more children in harm’s way,” the statement read.
“We demand: Immediate Action: Sign the amended Bill into law without further delay, Strengthened Protections: Enhance protection for children against sexual exploitation and abuse, Accountability: Establish robust enforcement mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable.”
The civic society organisation said the government had a responsibility to ensure children are safe from harm and that perpetrators are held accountable.
“We call on Parliament, the government and all stakeholders to take immediate action to protect children from sexual exploitation.”
In January this year, the government moved to protect children from predators by raising the age of consent from 16 years of age to 18.
Predators that violate this law and sleep with children below the age of 18 face up to 10 years in jail.
High Court proceedings had uncovered that Zimbabwe had no law safeguarding and protecting children, rendering them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse from predators despite the 2022 Constitutional Court ruling.