By Staff Writer
WOMEN’S Affairs Minister , Monica Mutsvangwa has called for the establiswhment of Specialised Sexual Offences Court in a bid to up the ante in fighting Gender Based Violence.
Her concern come on the back of surging cases of various forms of Gender Based Violence bedevilling communities across the nation.
“Special and separate courts for sexual offences should be created to provide for the protection of victims by having in camera court sessions and dedicated sexual offence courts to expedite the sentencing of cases.
“My Ministry will continue to work with the Justice,Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in ensuring that our laws continue to be reviewed , amended and developed to ensure that deterrent sentencing is exercised in our courts.I will also continue to engage regarding specialised courts that handle sexual offences to be put in place at all levels,” she said.
Mutsvangwa said indeed it is important to have GBV as part of the curriculum in order to make everyone aware of the evils of GBV .
“By introducing it at that lower level , we are raising awareness among our children as a tool for mindset change.Mr Speaker Sir ,it is about our minds.
“So it is critical that it is introduced at that lower level among young people that GBV is evil.It is detrimental to economic development.
“The Primary and Secondary Ministry is mainstreaming gender based issues in the current curriculum .However , they would be better placed to avail those details on the areas they are covering and as a Ministry , we will be working with them ,” she added.
