In a recent session of the Committee on Public Finance held in Parliament, startling revelations emerged regarding the prevalence of child sexual abuse. According to the committee’s findings, a staggering 168 cases of child sexual abuse were reported in the month of September this year. Furthermore, the distressing revelation that 22 girls under the age of 16 have become pregnant added to the gravity of the situation.
This crucial information was disclosed during a special discussion at the committee, which included representatives from various civil organizations, including the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). The purpose of the meeting was to solicit insights and recommendations on the budget proposals for the year 2024 and the formulation of policies in the country.
During the discussion, representatives from civil society organizations underscored the urgent need for a systematic program to provide sex education for children. The Communication Department of Parliament reported that the civil society representatives strongly advocated for measures to address this pressing issue.
The committee’s focus extended beyond the immediate concerns of abuse cases and teen pregnancies. Attention was directed towards identifying the number of school girls in need of essential facilities, including sanitary facilities. The committee expressed the intention to formulate a system to ensure the provision of these necessary facilities to meet the needs of schoolgirls.
In addition to discussing the immediate challenges, representatives of civil organizations provided insights into the broader issues related to the well-being of women and the difficulties faced by schoolgirls. Their briefing highlighted the potential consequences of insufficient attention to women’s welfare and the specific challenges encountered by girls in the educational system.
