Africa-Press – Angola. A survey on Cultural Beliefs and Practices that Foster Sexual Violence against Children was presented this Thursday in Luanda by the National Children’s Institute (INAC), with a view to gathering elements for a better understanding of the phenomenon.
The study, carried out for the first time in Angola, aims to bring up the subject, in its historical, social and cultural component, in a perspective of protection of children’s rights.
According to the general director of INAC, Paulo Calessi, in statements, the constant reports of cases, especially in families, motivated the institution to carry out research in the 18 provinces of the country, to understand what is at the base of the phenomenon, whose consequences are disastrous and may compromise the integral development of the child.
He made it known that the study presents myths, beliefs and practices from certain regions that encourage actions against children, highlighting cases of people who desire power, wealth and high-paying jobs, resorting to mystical or spiritual acts through spells.
These people comply with the sorcerer’s or kimbandeiro’s guidelines that encourage them to have sex with children for the wish to be fulfilled.
He stated that there are reports of the existence of sobas, healers or powerful people from certain communities who traditionally marry children and parents are obliged to consent, otherwise the family or community could be penalized with a great disgrace, according to the cunning of the soba , of the ingenious healer or powerful arrogant.
For matters of beliefs, he said, many believe that the father should be the first to be sexually involved with his own daughter to ensure her future happiness.
Paulo Calessi also spoke of practices that instruct children on how to have sex, as a way of preparing them as future husbands or wives, during collective rites or individual acts with uncles or aunts, usually the mother’s brothers.
Therefore, the analysis recommends that conditions be created at the level of municipalities, districts and communes, in order to sensitize communities to refuse these practices, to put an end to sexual violence against children.
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