Violence impede girl child’s right to education

By Nancy Linda

The security of the girl child in one of Bulawayo city’s old suburb, Old Lobengula is under threat following an upsurge of gangsters who rob, rape and assault the girls even in broad daylight.

Judith Nyathi (51) is a resident of Old Lobengula suburb. Judith says gang violence in her community is threatening the free movement of community members, especially women and girls.

“These gangsters are targeting community members any time of the day, stealing personal property, raping or sexually molesting women and at times physically harming their victims. These criminals move in big groups, carrying weapons such as catapults, machetes, knives and knobkerries. They are not selective in targeting their victims. Women and girls are the majority of victims. Girls now fear going to school because of these gangsters. Even going to the shops is now a challenge because the gangs pounce on anyone any time,” says Judith.

Judith says what is concerning for the community is that the violence is not only happening in the residential areas but also in schools. She says some of the gang members are students who perpetrate violence in the school environment.

“It is worrying that students carry knives and other weapons to school. Some girls are forced into intimate relationships with these boys after threats of violence. The gangsters threaten school authorities and make the work of teachers impossible. Sadly, local law enforcement have not succeeded in ending this violence,” says Judith.

Judith says her community was safe until three years ago. Before that, there we sporadic cases of violence which is common is crowded areas like our suburb.

“The menace started when one of our neighbors was attacked and killed during the evening. It was not even dark when he was killed. He was stabbed several time and died at the local clinic. From that time, we have never experienced any peace. The gangsters seem to have been emboldened by police inaction,” says Judith.

Tracy Moyo (35) a single mother to a 16 year old high school girl in Old Lobengula says she is living in fear of the gang members.

“I am a single mother and I have to protect myself and my child but how will I do that? I also fear for my neighbor, an elderly woman who lives by herself. How will she be able to even stand up against these gang members if they decide to pay her an unwelcome visit?” says Tracy.

Tracy says the violence seem to emanate from a patriarchal system where men are taught to be macho and strong. She says the gangsters target women because they are perceived to be weak.

“I am happy that local law enforcement agents now pay close attention to issues raised by women. We have organized ourselves and engaged the police. They have since started to launch some patrols. However these patrols have not effectively stopped gang violence,” says Tracy.

Tracy says as she commemorates the International Women’s Month, she is proud of the effort that women have made to make their voices heard.

“We used to fear the police. There were no female police officers. In turn, the police seemed not to care about women’s concerns. However the campaigns for women’s rights have ensured that there are more women police officers. The police are also trained to pay attention to women’s concerns,” says Tracy.