The Parliamentary Women Caucus has proposed for the amendment of the country`s laws that will give stiffer punishment for perpetrators of rape and defilement.

The development comes at a time when the country is witnessing increasing cases of sexual violence against women and young girls.

According to Chairperson of the Parliamentary Women Caucus Lonnie Chijere Phiri, the current laws and sentences given to culprits of the vice are too minimal.

“We are very ready to amend our laws because this time defilers or rapists they are given maximum of 14 years as Women Caucus we would to see more to that, the 14 should be minimum and maximum should be 50.

“Because the person who defiles a small child is not a person enough to live amidst our community so they have to be sent away where our children will be safe when they are gone,” said Chijere Phiri.

She added that the Caucus will push for the amendment in collaboration with the responsible Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare.

“As a Caucus we are geared to work with Ministry of Gender to amend these laws for the best interest of our children, otherwise enough is enough,” said Chijere Phiri.