Mimutie Women Organization, an advocacy group for women and children in the Pastoralist community, expresses dissatisfaction with the handling of a case involving a 10-year-old child allegedly raped and sodomized by her biological father.
Despite presenting evidence, including a doctor's examination, the court released the father on November 24, 2023, prompting the child and the mother to seek intervention from the Minister of Community Development, Gender, Children, and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima.
Rose Njilo, the Executive Director of the organization, criticizes the lack of transparency during the trial, citing restricted access to information for the child and her mother.
The court proceedings, conducted discreetly by a resident magistrate (name withheld) and a government lawyer, left the mother uninformed about the trial schedule.
Rose recounts the challenges faced, expressing disappointment with the collaboration, especially from the government lawyer whose identity remains undisclosed.
The organization emphasizes the importance of ensuring justice for the child and calls for the Minister's intervention.
Faudhia Kaimba, the mother of the victim, voices dissatisfaction with the court's decision to acquit Hassan Shemhilu, the accused father.
Both the mother and the child provided testimony confirming the abuse, but the court's verdict overlooked the compelling evidence.
The child, whose identity is protected, recounts the ordeal, revealing that her father threatened her if she disclosed the abuse.
The incidents occurred when her mother was absent, either conducting business in town or sleeping on the floor after being expelled from the marital bed.
This tragic situation unfolds against the backdrop of national policies aimed at protecting children from abuse, including the National Child Development and Early Childhood Development Program of 2021/22-2025-2026.
The government's efforts to eliminate violence against women and children, as outlined in the National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children (MTAKUWWA) from 2016/17 to 2021/22, are highlighted.
The narrative underscores the importance of addressing child abuse, emphasizing the need for swift responses, improved legal processes, and a supportive environment for victims.
The piece concludes by reaffirming the government's commitment to eradicating violence through coordinated efforts at various levels, including the establishment of Gender Desks in police stations and helplines for child victims.
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