The Youth End Period Poverty Movement (YEPPM) strongly condemns the alarming surge in cases of child rape, defilement, and sexual violence across Zambia. Every child has the inherent right to safety, dignity, and protection from harm, and the current crisis represents a grave violation of these fundamental rights.
We stand in solidarity with survivors and demand:
Justice for Victims: Expedited investigations, survivor-centered legal processes, and stringent punishment for perpetrators.
Strengthened Law Enforcement: Enhanced capacity for police and judiciary to handle cases of child abuse with urgency and sensitivity.
Policy Alignment with SADC Standards: Full adoption and implementation of the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage, including setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 without exception.
Community & Institutional Accountability: Collective action to dismantle cultures of silence, including awareness campaigns, mandatory reporting mechanisms, and protection for whistleblowers.
Silence is complicity. We call on the Zambian government, regional bodies, civil society, and citizens to:
Report abuse through secure channels.
Educate communities on child rights and gender-based violence.
Invest in survivor support (medical, legal, and psychosocial services).
