Concern raised over increase of sexual violence in Mozambique

115 cases of rape reported over the festive season in the country

The Council of Religions in Mozambique (COREM), through the Religious Platform for Child Wellbeing, and World Vision have expressed concern over the escalation of sexual violence against children and women in Mozambique. 
The condemnation follows statistics released by the Ministry of Health in January showing that 115 cases of rape were reported during the festive season across the country. According to the report, 50 percent of the victims are children under the age of 14.

World Vision Mozambique has partnered local faith leaders through the Religious Platform for Child Wellbeing to promote women and children’s rights.

Religious Platform for Child Wellbeing Coordinator, Reverend Albino Mussuei, has condemned sexual violence against children and women.

“These figures translate to 10 girls and women being sexually violated every day and this is an escalation of this type of abuse in Mozambique. It is heartbreaking and it is totally unacceptable,” says Reverend Mussuei.
He denied the notion that the rise in sexual violence was solely attributable to behaviours associated with the festive season. 

“The fact is that sexual violence, particularly against children and women, has grown significantly over the past few years, hidden in the guise of social of norms and practices society tends to see as normal,” argues Reverend Mussuei.  

Reverend Mussuei blames the violence on factors such as early marriage, honor deals’ families enter into with perpetrators, violation of women’s sexual and reproductive rights as well as stereotypes that portray women as subservient to men.  

The reverend also cites legal loopholes and discrepancies, particularly with regards to the age of consent and age legal age of marriage which are not in sync with international conventions. 

World Vision Faith and Development Coordinator, Reverend Mauricio Mugunhe, believes the partnership between the organisation and local faith leaders is crucial to reducing abuse against women and children.

“We have decided to join hands and work together with local communities in addressing the drivers of violence against children in Mozambique to address the need to spped up the pace of our interventions,” says Reverend Mauricio Mugunhe.

Through the partnership with faith leaders, World Vision hopes to increase awareness on sexual violence through strengthening the country’s child protection legal framework.