Minors aged 12 to 16 have been discovered trapped in the terrible web of sex work in Rwanda's Bugesera District in East Central Africa.
According to reports, the finding was made by a journalist at a press conference called by the district.
Speaking to journalists during the opening of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence on November 25, Bugesera District Mayor Richard Mutabazi stated that he was uninformed before the journalist's revelation.
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Mutabazi expressed concern over preserving children's rights and promised a comprehensive inquiry.
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"We will investigate the matter because we cannot ignore reports of children being defiled or engaging in sex work." "It's a sad issue that must be addressed," he remarked.
Mutabazi was quick to argue that the guilt should not be placed on the children but on the conditions that led to their predicament.
“A child should not be blamed for getting involved in sex work; the problem is factors that make them get into it. That is what we are looking into, how can she be helped to get rid of it, who indulged her in it so that they are held responsible for that, and how the child gets their hope restored, either by making sure that the ones who dropped out of school go back to school, or the one who lacks livelihood gets it,” he said.
According to the children who spoke to local media, the motivation for being involved in sex work is to earn a living due to the bad living conditions exacerbated by poverty.
Madina Ndangiza, a Rwandan Member of Parliament and former Deputy General Secretary of the Ideal Democratic Party (IDP) emphasized the importance of the issue, emphasizing the ease with which youngsters might be tricked and sexually exploited.
She emphasized the importance of early action, noting that the matter should not be disregarded, especially when minors are involved.
Data from Rwanda's National Commission for Human Rights indicated 5,278 cases of child sex-based violence, although 43% were never brought to court owing to a lack of proof.
According to Rwandan regulations about the Rights and Protection of the Child Against Violence, anyone convicted of child defilement faces imprisonment for a term of not less than twenty years and not more than twenty-five years.
The law also states that if child defilement is committed on a kid under the age of fourteen, the sentence is life imprisonment, which cannot be reduced under any circumstances.
If child defilement on a child fourteen years of age or older results in an incurable illness or handicap, the penalty is increased.
