The Sunday Mail
Tatenda Mangoyana
Chitungwiza Youth Media Project Cluster
Violence is defined by the World Health Organisation as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development, or deprivation”, although the group acknowledges that the inclusion of “the use of power” in its definition expands on the conventional understanding of the word.
This definition involves intentionality with the committing of the act itself, irrespective of the outcome it produces. However, generally, anything that is excited in an injurious or damaging way may be described as violent even if not meant to be violence (by a person and against a person).
Now bringing everything home, A young lady (name withheld), from Unit E in Chitungwiza, reiterated how she cannot face young people of her age after she was subjected to this heinous act of child marriage. She said that after being married off at an early age of 15 years, she was subjected to domestic violence and she had to let go of her dreams.
Everyday is a nightmare, am forced to handle all the family pressure and the idea of having a child when am a child is so scary. I have given up on my dreams but l will try by all means for my child to have a brighter future” echoed the young mother whilst sobering.
Children and young people suffer the most from these acts. Violence has some psycho traumatic consequences on the health of the youngsters. In an interview with an anonymous police officer from Chitungwiza, he said that violence can be controlled if people control themselves.
Adding to the law enforcer’s words, Honorable Pascal Munjoma the Junior MP for Chitungwiza North said that children and young people must be protected from any form of violence and exploitation so as to have a great future.
Now, our call is to put an end to all forms of violence and exploitation. A Violence and Exploitation free society can produce young people and children that can contribute positively to develop their communities and the nation at large.
