THE Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) says the ongoing rolling power cuts currently being experienced in the country have exposed women and girls to sexual abuse as they resort to firewood fetching as an alternative energy source.
This comes as MIHR says in the last two days, it conducted a monitoring visit to Pumula Old and parts of Pumula South suburbs where it noted that mostly women and girls were seen emerging from the bushy areas from collecting firewood.
This, the organisation said is a major concern, especially during this time when crimes of sexual abuse and rape are on the increase.
In a statement, MIHR coordinator Khumbulani Maphosa said women should be protected since sexual abuse and rape are on the increase.
“Our organisation calls on families, men and responsible authorities to prioritise women and girls’ rights protection.
“Women and girls should never go to the bushes to collect firewood alone or in pairs but instead go in groups of at least four and above and be accompanied by at least one relative male adult,” said Maphosa.
He, however, urged parents and guardians to be vigilant during this power crisis period.
“Also, parents should be responsible and desist from sending children (especially the girl child) alone to collect firewood as this exposes them.”
He also called on police and council to be proactive in patrolling crime spots.
“We urge police to patrol areas that are on the edges of the city as they will soon be potential sexual abuse crime spots due to the high demand for firewood and council to be on high alert and monitor the operations of rangers in order to ensure that they do not get involved in gender crimes such as ‘sex-for-firewood’ practices.
“The communities, especially staying on the edges of the City, should have active neighbourhood watch committees and work with the Bulawayo City Council Rangers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to report suspicious persons and activities within the nearby bushes,” Maphosa explained.
Above all, Maphosa said the protection and promotion of human rights is a collective effort that needs the individual citizens, their families, the community and the responsible authorities to all play an active role.
