By KETRA KALUNGA
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has demanded for an end to sexual violence and abuse especially against women and girls and those perpetrated against men and boys.
President Hichilema has called for enhanced safe measures in all institutions in order to put a decisive end to the detestable criminal acts.
Mr. Hichilema said in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Anthony Bwalya that he was particularly troubled by the recent case involving 13 women who had been abducted and abused over a prolonged period of time and now currently undergoing a process of professional rehabilitation.
The President said the government has put in place measures to ensure that the victims are safe and given the right professional assistance and ensure that justice is served.
“Am in constant touch with the 5 arms of government, the Zambia Police, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, the Ministry of Justice, Gender Division, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, all of whom are actively involved in ensuring that the 13 women at the center of such a horrendous abduction and abuse ordeal are safe and given the right kind of professional assistance and ensure that justice is served,” he said.
Mr. Hichilema noted that while the case of Pamela and 12 others represented one of the most disturbing cases of abduction and abuse in the country’s most recent memory, many more young girls and women, as well as boys and men continue to be victims of abuse of various forms.
He has called for a holistic conversation around how best the country could be safe for all by actively engaging preventive mechanisms such as education for all, better community-based support for those most susceptible to abuse and reviewing the responsiveness of available post-traumatic institutional safeguards for victims.
The President said he would will allow all those actively working to assist the victims and their families’ space to do a professional job while continuing to prioritize the safety and well-being of those most affected by the ordeal.
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