District Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Gresham Ngwira told us that from January to November this year, they recorded 79 defilement cases against 62 the same period last year.

“Police believes that the increase is because of awareness campaigns police and other organizations have been undertaking in the district,” said Ngwira.

Concurring with Sub-Inspector Ngwira, District Gender Officer Mafunga Jamu said some men use their financial muscle to entice girls from poor families and sleep with them.

“We have launched a serious battle against the vice in partnership with other human rights organizations,” said Jamu.

Last week Youth-Net and Counseling (YONECO) with support from Global Fund through Action Aid and Christian Aid organized GBV awareness roadshows in the district under Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) project