The problems of the girl child are many and multifaceted. Physical
abuse is one of such problems and it interferes with the girl
child's total development. Physical abuse impacts negatively on
the girl child's physical development, academic performance,
social and emotional development,and even spiritual development.
These problems, as highlighted in the book, can be traced to the
now controversial child rearing and socializing practices- where a
girl child is considered a second class citizen compared to the boy
child. When for instance resources are depleted or limited in the
family, it is the girl child who suffers. She is literally
sacrificed so that the boy child advances in his education. This,
unfortunately, brings about perpetual poverty and low self esteem
in the life of the girl child. In a number of unfortunate
incidences, girls are physically abused into submitting to
patriarchal powers and this becomes a vicious circle where the
abused becomes the abuser.
Beatrice Bondai holds a Master of Education degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education degree in English both from the University of Zimbabwe. Currently she is lecturing at the University of Zimbabwe in the Department of Educational Foundations. Beatrice Bondai is currently studying for a PhD with UNISA.
