A call to action against defilement

The fact that underage girls, some as young as 14, are leaving their homes to stay the night with older men isn't only alarming but also a clear indication of how normalised this harmful practice has become. It is time for all stakeholders—parents, community leaders, law enforcement, and society at large—to stand up and take decisive action to end this scourge.

Defilement is a crime, and it is unacceptable that it is being treated as normal or tolerated behaviour in some communities. The cases reported in Serule, where young girls are sneaking out to stay with men, often herders in their early 20s, highlight a disturbing trend. These men, who are old enough to know better, are taking advantage of vulnerable minors and the girls due to their age and lack of awareness are unable to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation. This cycle of exploitation must be broken.