Minister Patricia Kaliati
By Sylvester Kumwenda, MANA
Following the rising numbers of rape and defilement cases across the country — at times even involving children as young as two years old — Minister of Gender and Community Services, Patricia Kaliati has called upon authorities to ensure that there is no case of gender based violence (GBV) against women and children that ends up in out of court settlements.
Kaliati said it was frustrating to learn that some of these cases are settled out of court at the insistence of the the victims’ relations, who connive to settle the cases within the family circles.
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“This is sad and unacceptable under any circumstances,” Kaliati said. “Government is busy making legislations to combat GBV and there is no room for any case, much worse involving minors, to be settled outside the formal judicial system.
“Any case that was settled out of the courts, either form here or any part of this country must be followed up and perpetrators must be brought to book,” she said.
Kaliati said it is high time traditional leaders are also empowered with the law so that they are in the forefront fighting GBV.
Kaliati with the victim of child abuse
She made the remarks Thursday at Mitundu when she visited a 6-year-old boy battling severe wounds on his mouth and arms, after his mother burned him using cooking stones popularly known as ‘mafuwa’.
The woman earlier this week got angry with the boy when he had eaten soya pieces without permission and scalded him as a punishment.
“It is a shame that in this era, a woman can treat her own child like that, leaving the child in great unbearable pains — this is uncalled for.
Appeal from Sandra Sharon Kamanga
“But we are happy that the suspect is currently in police custody for the law to take its course.”
She donated various items like soap and assorted foodstuffs to the child’s hospital bed guardian in order to ease some of the challenges he is facing.
In his remarks, in charge of Mitundu Community Hospital, Dr. Anthony Chafunya said the boy is currently showing promises of a full recovery from the treatment he has receiving there.
Appeal from Speaker of Parliament Catherine
Gotani Hara
However, he said there is need for soul searching as the hospital receives around four cases of rape and defilement per week, which he said was alarming.
“We, however, work hand in hand with the police that whenever we receive such cases, we do our part in helping the victims and also inform our colleagues so that they also do their job,” he said.
Chairperson for Lilongwe District Council, Luciano Botoman said they will continue to work with the Ministry of Gender to make sure issues of GBV are put to rest in the district.
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