HUNDREDS of Zambians took to the streets of Lusaka on Thursday in protest against a string of horrifying child rape cases that have rocked the country in recent weeks. Civil society groups, activists, musicians, and concerned citizens marched in unison, demanding urgent reforms to toughen penalties for child sexual abuse.
The protest comes after a disturbing wave of reports, including the rape of a seven-year-old girl by her father while undergoing cancer treatment, and a five-year-old allegedly attacked by a group of four men. One father was convicted of raping and infecting his six-year-old daughter with genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection.
In an emotionally charged speech to parliament, Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu condemned the acts and called for chemical castration as a deterrent against child rape.
‘How low can we go as a nation? How low can we go as a society?’ she asked. ‘What is happening is sickening. It is beyond laws now — it is up to us as Zambians to interrogate why our morals have decayed.’
Protesters demand legal reform
The protesters, including well-known Zambian musician and activist Daputsa Nkhata-Zulu (popularly known as Sista D), submitted a petition to Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, calling for immediate changes to Zambia’s criminal code.
Their demands include:
- No bail or bond for those accused of child rape
- Stricter sentences, including consideration of castration
- Greater protections for victims of gender-based violence
‘We need to create a safe environment for our children,’ Sista D told the BBC. ‘Child rapists should be castrated… they don’t deserve the pride of manhood.’
Gender-based violence on the rise
According to Zambia Police’s 2024 annual report, over 10,000 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) involving children were recorded in just the last quarter of 2024, with most reported in Lusaka. The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) also reported that more than 32,000 people received counselling for GBV-related trauma last year.
The data underscores a national crisis, prompting urgent calls for not only legal reform but also societal change.
Government pledges action
Responding to the protest, Vice-President Nalumango acknowledged the gravity of the issue, urging Zambians to unite against the growing scourge of violence against children.
‘This is not a problem for women alone or for the government alone. It is a national issue, and we must all take a stand,’ she said.
The Ministry of Justice is expected to begin consultations on proposed amendments to child protection laws in the coming weeks.
A nation at a crossroads
As Zambians confront the moral and legal implications of these appalling crimes, the protest signals a wider awakening — a demand for accountability, justice, and a future where children are safe, respected, and protected.
With national outrage mounting, the government faces growing pressure to act swiftly and decisively to restore faith in the justice system and reaffirm its commitment to the rights and dignity of every child.
