LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Interfaith Aids Association (MIAA) has strongly condemned the alleged sexual abuse of Pastor Steven Wingolo to a minor the past week.
Pastor Wingolo of Soul Servers Church in Area 25, in the capital Lilongwe is under police custody while waiting for trial this week for sexual assault and procurement of abortion charges.
In a press statement signed by Pirira Ndaferankhande Acting Executive Director (MIAA) made available to The Maravi Post has scolded Wingolo for unruly behavior.
Reads MIAA statement:
MIAA condemns in strongest terms the actions of Pastor Steven Wingolo in as far as controlling the spread of HIV infection within the faith community is concerned and in the realm of advancing child justice.
Our key observations on the matter MIAA strongly condemns the sexual abuse perpetrated by Pastor Steven Wingolo on the girl in his praise team and has zero tolerance on sexual abuse of minors which violates the international treaty (Child Rights Convention) and the current Child Care, Protection and Justice Act.
That the very fact that Pastor Steven Wingolo is alleged to have impregnated the said girl, it follows that safe sex was not practised which is detrimental to STI and HIV prevention and infringes body rights of the victim.
Pastor Steven Wingolo’s actions run contrary to values of MIAA that life is sacred and need to be protected.
Consequently, his alleged influence on the girl to abort the pregnancy is not only condemned in strongest terms but also degrading in our spiritual view.
MIAA is keenly following the matter as it is proceeding to court for trial, and that as an advocate of child justice, it intends to petition the magistrate court to be admitted as Friends of the Court so that justice prevails.
It is a well-founded belief of MIAA that children are a vulnerable section of the society and should be protected from all forms of exploitation including sexual abuse and violence.
Faith leaders have a significant role to play in the national prevention of HIV as strategic partners at grass root level, as such the actions of Pastor Steven Wingolo if proven true, do not reflect his calling as he was supposed to be a strong advocate of child rights.
His church is supposed to be safe space for children’s physical, emotional and spiritual growth.
It is in that vein that religious leaders are being called upon to be a mirror of hope, guidance and compassion to our children.
Further, MIAA would like to reaffirm its commitment to the Government of Malawi, development partners and all religious institutions that it will continue its coordination efforts of the national faithbased response to HIV.
It is disheartening to note that incidences of sexual violence against minors in the country are on the increase, and if unchecked, these actions threaten the survival of our children upon which the fabric of our nation rests.
