The government has warned that tourists luring underage girls into sexual exploitation would be prosecuted and deported. Deputy County Commissioner Kisauni Julius Kavita yesterday said the number of young girls being used for sex tourism was on the increase.
He said that girls as young as nine years were being dragged into palatial homes and luxurious hotels for sexual activities. Speaking at SOS Village during a stakeholders meeting on actions against sexual exploitation and violence against children, Kavita said security agents would launch a crackdown on beaches.
“We have witnessed a situation where children are used by foreigners to satisfy their own selfish desires,” said Kavita. At the same time, Kavita observed that rape and defilement cases were on the rise in Kisauni. He also noted that areas such as Machafuko, Mafisini, Toa Tugawe, Mwakirunge, Kongowea and Ziwa la Ng’ombe were notorious for defilement and rape cases.
He, however, challenged parents to play proactive roles in raising children saying most families contribute to the vice. He blamed mothers for exposing their children to compromising situations which lead to abuse especially by close relations.
“Some mothers have become very lazy to the extent they leave their pre-teen daughters to be bathed by fathers and later allow them to share a bed,” said Kavita. He noted that some parents facilitate the meeting and sexual activities between their children and foreigners for monetary benefits.
“We have heard of cases where a mother goes to school to seek permission for their children so that they can sexually satisfy wazungus,” said Kavita. At the same function, Maendeleo ya Wanawake Nyali representative Mariam Bashir blamed cultural beliefs for the vice.
She gave an example of communities that encourage early marriages, a situation she said exposed children to risky health conditions and derailed education. “I appeal to you to allow our children remain children. Forcing children into marriage when their bodies are undeveloped to carry pregnancies poses a risk to their health,” she said.
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