The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has noted with concern various trends of crimes that are being committed. However, it is also encouraging to note that there are decreases in certain areas. The increase in sexual offences is a cause for concern and such cannot go unabated as the majority of people who suffer from this form of crime are women and children.
The CGE calls upon all stakeholders to have a renewed vigour in assisting police in dealing with issues that constantly affect our well-being in society. It is the responsibility of every citizen to speak up when issues of this nature are being committed within their vicinities. With the 2010 soccer spectacle coming to our shores, it will be advisable that we be vigilant in helping police deal with abducting of young girls as slaves and also trafficking them abroad to be same reason.
There are various ways of reporting issues of Gender Based Violence and others, one being that of approaching the nearest CGE offices within your province or use crime line to report such anonymously. By keeping quite and aiding criminals is as good as being guilty of the same offence. The CGE calls upon all victims of gendered crimes to report those as they will be assisting society in getting rid of perpetrators; henceforth put them in jails where they belong.
Society should also be encouraged to report even if they are not direct victims as we do not know who will be next. The onus is upon us to help police capture these criminals so as to create an enabling environment for children and women to go on with their daily businesses without having to look upon their shoulders for fear of being attacked for whatever reason.
As the CGE, we are also pleased by the audit that is being undertaken within the police system as a way of trying to reassemble the units that were taken off. The re-launch of the Sexual Offences Unit with people that are better equipped in dealing these matters will go a long way in abating women and children who would be victims and survivors of rape and abuse. It is our utmost belief that together we can do more to fight crime and CGE will continue in assisting the police and other relevant bodies in ensuring that gendered crimes are addressed.
Issued by: Commission for Gender Equality
23 September 2009
