M’membe advocates licensing of boarding houses, as he alleges rise in moral decadence, exploitation of youths

Dr Fred M’membe, leader of the Socialist Party (SP), has called for the introduction of licenses for individuals operating boarding houses and the implementation of regulations to protect young girls from exploitation.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, M’membe expressed concern about the increasing immorality among students residing in boarding houses and criticised the government’s silence on the matter.

“We need to devise regulations and introduce licensing for boarding house operators to safeguard our young girls, including prohibiting visitors among other stringent measures,” M’membe said.

He noted that the prevalence of immoral behavior among students in residential accommodations had led to disturbing incidents, often shared on social media platforms.

M’membe criticized the absence of proactive measures from the Ministry of National Guidance, stating that the government’s inaction had allowed immorality to flourish unchecked.

He pointed out that landlords, responsible for overseeing the well-being of students, prioritise rent collection over enforcing rules to maintain moral standards.

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Despite boarding houses offering a practical solution to the lack of residential accommodation in colleges and universities, M’membe lamented their role in fostering immoral behavior among students.

M’membe also raised concerns about the exploitation and abuse of financially vulnerable young girls by older men within boarding house environments, questioning the long-term consequences if such trends persisted without government intervention.

“We cannot idly watch our children being subjected to abuse and destruction. With economic hardships intensifying, immoral behavior will continue to rise unless we take action,” M’membe asserted.

He urged the Ministries of Youth and Sport and Education to address these issues promptly, stating the need for a morally upright society.

Highlighting a Ministry of Health report indicating a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among individuals aged 16-25 years, M’membe underscored the urgency of implementing protective measures for Zambia’s youth.

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