Why we have to stand up to ‘sex pests’

So we now know that over 500 young school girls between the ages 10-18 carried unwanted pregnancies in different parts of the country, according thanks to the 2012 Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Schools report, released early this month. The number could be even bigger, and plainly put, we are facing a sex scourge in our schools.Over 500 school girls could sound just like any other statistic but let us narrow it down further; these are our young daughters, sisters, grand daughters, nieces, cousins and, above all, Rwandans. On the list of the biggest perpetrators of sexual violence which leads to unwanted pregnancies in schools, are the usual suspects in schools, teachers, fellow students, older men (sugar daddies) and that taxi-moto guy who drops off your daughter from school. Establishing a ‘home school’ for your daughter will not help you either as the next sex pest could be a well known family member.While cases of unwanted pregnancies and defilement amongst school girls are not entirely new, the fact that the numbers continue to raise is pointer that there is something not right in approaches to tackle this vice. As we continue to dilly-dally on the issue of sex education in schools, more children are getting pregnant!In news that shocked the nation, this paper early this year reported on a case of 26 unwanted pregnancies at just one school in Rwamagana district.And it is not just the girls; even young boys are now vulnerable. In August 22, 2011, this paper reported a story where the school football team coach of Le Pigeonnier Groupe Scolaire in the same district, sodomised seven boys.This damning report is a rude reminder that we cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand anymore. Government has put a lot of efforts in ensuring that girls access education but should not just be about enrolling for school but also remaining there until completion. This calls for community effort.There is not a single prescription to cure this scourge, we need a multi-faceted approach.Children need to be armed with sex education, call it reproductive health education if you like. Information is power, so goes the adage. While this in itself might not be a remedy, it is better than doing nothing at all. Some children have fallen prey to sex pests simply out of ignorance.We also need tough laws to punish sex offenders; they should be hunted down and be made to account for their vile actions. Teachers involved in the vice should be struck off the pay roll. It is disturbing that there is no clear record of teachers who have committed sex crimes in school. This calls for the establishment of sex offenders list so that such teachers don’t find their way into the education system anywhere in the country.People from all walks of life should be encouraged to talk about this scourge in different fora. With the realisation that this is a community problem, we need community efforts to root it out. Culprits should be named and shamed, for example, after community work (Umuganda) with the intention of deterring would be offenders.Parents need a critical look at themselves. It is said that all parents damage their children in some way but in some instances the consequences can be dire. Parents need to stand up and be counted.