Reported By Catherine Tembo:
A 14-year-old girl, known as Agnes (real name withheld), from Area 23 Township in Lilongwe is pursuing justice in a case involving her impregnation by an older man.
Agnes had been enduring prolonged sexual harassment from her elderly neighbour, who is in his late 60s, before becoming pregnant.
“This has been happening for a long time; I can’t remember the exact year. He would bribe me with K500 or k1,000 to keep quiet,” Agnes disclosed.
The elderly man would repeatedly request Agnes to meet him at the back of the house, near the outdoor bathroom, when she went to fetch water, where he would sexually abuse her. This traumatic experience has deeply affected Agnes’s mental well-being, leaving her with enduring emotional wounds.
In July 2024, 14-year-old Agnes, a Standard 4 pupil, started showing signs of pregnancy. Her school friends noticed her condition and mocked her through the window.
“I didn’t realize I was pregnant, but I noticed my friends at school were laughing at me. I felt very embarrassed and confused,” Agnes recounted.
An older man impregnated Agnes and warned her not to disclose it to anyone, cautioning her that the community would harm him if she did.
This threat kept Agnes silent about her pregnancy until a month after she gave birth at Kawale Health Centre in Lilongwe.
Agnes resides with her grandmother Martha(not her real name), who has faced community accusations.
Some community members believe that the grandmother was aware of Agnes’ situation with the older man and was benefiting from it.
“We are not happy with the situation, despite what people are saying about my granddaughter’s case. We’re seeking justice from the police; I’ve reported the matter to them. They’re working on it,” said Martha
Martha expressed her sorrow over the elderly man exploiting the child, which could impact her future, especially her education.
“It’s disheartening to see an elderly man taking advantage of a child like this. During a play session with friends, I overheard her saying ‘Kuzipha kosavuta,’ which means ‘Killing yourself is easy,'” Martha shared.
This troubling statement underscores the depth of trauma she endured due to her situation.
To ensure the child’s safety, Martha has sent her to stay with her uncle until the situation is resolved.
“I have sent her to stay with her uncle until everything is sorted out, while waiting for the police to take action,” she clarified.
Martha believes that her granddaughter will return to school once the child is a bit older.
In response, Sub Inspector Precious Mabvuto Phiri, Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Kawale Police Station, confirmed the defilement case, stating that it was well-wishers who alerted the Area 23 police unit under Kawale Police Station.
He stated that investigations are ongoing, though facing challenges due to the reluctance of the guardian to pursue the case.
“We issued a Medical report to pursue the case, but the guardian and the victim did not return with the medical report from the Hospital, which helps police to file a proper charge and secure a conviction,” Phiri elaborated.
Memory Chisenga, a child rights activist, expressed frustration that children experiencing sexual harassment and abuse are not receiving justice, allowing perpetrators to escape punishment.
“We are not making progress in Malawi in handling rape and defilement cases. The courts and police are delaying us; action needs to be taken,” Chisenga emphasized.
Chisenga vowed to pursue Agnes’ case until justice is served.
She emphasized the urgency for courts to expedite the handling of such cases, which are alarmingly prevalent in Malawi.
Andrew Mphongolo, District Youth Friendly Health Services Coordinator for Lilongwe District, noted that the hospital receives numerous cases of children impregnated at an early age, leading to complications like obstetric fistula.
“We need to increase awareness among girls about preventive measures, including contraceptives,” Andrew emphasized.
Malawi is making progress in combating Gender-Based-Violence against women, with a decrease in sexual offenses in the country, resulting in a 28 percent drop in rape cases and a 15 percent decrease in defilement cases.
According to statistics from the Malawi Police Service, in 2023, they recorded 208 rape cases and 1691 defilement cases, while in 2024, they registered 150 rape cases and 1435 defilement cases.
The Penal Code in Malawi categorizes rape under “Offences against morality” (chapter XV) with the following punishment: “Any person who commits the offense of rape shall be liable to be punished with death or with imprisonment for life.”
Violence against women and girls in Malawi is a harsh reality, and sexual violence is no exception.
As Agnes seeks justice, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the need for collective action to safeguard Malawi’s children from sexual abuse and exploitation, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and young girls can reclaim their futures.
