Harare (New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday said the government is setting up special courts to handle cases of child abuse as it intensifies efforts to eliminate the practice within society.
In Zimbabwe sexual abuse has emerged as the most prevalent type of violation perpetrated against children, closely followed by physical abuse.
Other types identified to be occurring include neglect, verbal and emotional abuse.
Officially opening the 29th session of the Junior Parliament belatedly, President Mnangagwa warned people who abused children, saying the fight against child abuse, child marriages and other harmful practices was being intensified.
President Mnangagwa said his government is committed to ensuring that justice is delivered for children who have been violated.
“My government is committed to ensuring the delivery of justice for our children. Standalone child friendly courts are being set up within our main court systems.
“The fight against child abuse, child marriages and other harmful practices is being scaled up with perpetrators of crimes against children are receiving deterrent penalties and sentences,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said an Inter-Ministerial committee had been set up to address the scourge of drug and substance abuse.
There is growing concern among Zimbabweans at the high numbers of people, particularly youths in high density areas, who are abusing dangerous drugs, the most common being marijuana, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as “mutoriro”, “dombo” or “guka”).
The legislature has since urged the government to declare the rampant abuse of dangerous drugs in the country as a national disaster to enable it to mobilise resources for dealing with the crisis.
Meanwhile, the event also saw the launch of the revised National Youth Policy.
President Mnangagwa said the youth policy sought to provide an enabling framework for the development of young people and their participation.
“Young people are the future for our county and we must build a solid foundation for them to realise their dreams and goals by putting in place an enabling environment,” he said.
New Ziana
