The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
WITH Manicaland being one of the country’s hotspots for child marriages and teen pregnancies, The Manica Post has launched its annual awareness campaign against the twin evils through a public meeting that was held in Marange on Wednesday.
The anti-child marriages campaign will take place every year in March as part of commemorations of Women’s Month.
For this year’s event which ran under the theme ‘Let Them Grow’, Marange was a befitting venue for the inaugural edition of the campaign considering that it is one of the province’s hotspots.
The district was the talk of the entire world when 14-year-old Anna Machaya died almost two years ago while giving birth at a church shrine in Marange.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokhuthula Matsikenyere said roping in the community to address the root causes of teen pregnancies and child marriages will help to eliminate the twin evils.
In a speech read on her behalf at a public meeting held at Zedza Primary School by deputy director in her office, Mr Lucky Bhasopo, Minister Matsikenyere applauded the community for standing up to fight for the girl child.
Minister Matsikenyere said statistics of child marriages in the province and the country at large are saddening, hence Government’s firm stance on stamping out the root causes of the scourge.
“According to the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency, 33,7 percent of girls aged under 18 are married, thereby translating to one in every three girls of that age.
“In comparison, only two percent of boys get married before reaching the age of 18. This is a clear indication that although both boys and girls are victims of child marriages, girls are more at risk, hence these initiatives to protect them.
“ We need to address the elephant in the room, which is teen pregnancies, child marriages and statutory rape. We need to keep talking about it and equip all our communities with the relevant information on the laws of our land,” she said.
Minister Matsikenyere said Government remains committed to curbing child marriages and teen pregnancies.
She said among the strategies that are in place to eliminate the scourge is the promotion of child-led and youth friendly initiatives that ensure that the girl child is economically empowered from a young age.
She said this move should be accelerated in rural areas.
“Government is tirelessly working on reducing the incidences of child marriage by addressing the root causes. We need to ensure that our children stay in school for as long as possible, so that they delay indulging in sexual activities.
“The country has been economically and socially investing in empowering the girl child so that her childhood is not stolen by those who are more privileged than her,” said Minister Matsikenyere, adding that it is sad that several young girls are dropping out of school after they would have fallen pregnant.
The Manica Post Editor, Mrs Wendy Nyakurerwa-Matinde said as a family newspaper, they are committed to actively fight child marriages, hence the decision to get into the communities and confront the issue head-on.
“We want all girls, regardless of age or circumstance, to achieve their full potential. The community’s job is to protect the girl child and because we are part of that community, we have joined the fight,” she said.
During interactive question and answer sessions with prominent lawyer, Advocate Tabitha Chikeya-Mwayera and ZRP Victim Friendly Unit’s Assistant Inspector Gloria Mugodhi, the Marange community deliberated on how communities can intervene to stop child marriages.
Advocate Chikeya-Mwayera unpacked the country’s Constitution and laws, while Assistant Inspector Mugodhi highlighted the channels that can be followed when one is ciolated.
She also took advantage of the opportunity to disseminate information on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
In her session, Advocate Chikeya-Mwayera stressed that everyone needs to be aware of the country’s laws.
“Ignorance of the law is not a defence when you are arrested and arraigned before the courts, therefore our communities need to know about the provisions of the law when it comes to children’s rights.
“Marrying off, marrying or being an accomplice in marrying off someone who is under 18 is a criminal offence. Our laws are now progressive in terms of protecting the girl child, so as the community, you should not be found wanting,” she said.
The other criminal offences she unpacked were rape, being intimate with a minor (previously known as statutory rape), aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault.
“Zimbabwe is signatory to many conventions and we should know that our children have rights that include the right to education, the right to a normal childhood as well as the right to health, among many others. Child marriages usually deprive them of such rights and that is something that we need to do away with as a community,” said Advocate Chikeya-Mwayera.
In her address, Assistant Inspector Mugodhi urged the community to make use of the police’s Victim Friendly Unit and make tip offs when they have information on child marriages in their respective areas.
Thirty-three-year-old child marriage survivor, Ms Thembi Manyati (not real name) also took to the podium to warn young girls and parents against the dangers of child marriages.
“I was married at 14 to a man who was 44 and by then I thought I was doing the right thing since I was an orphan and had no one to look after me.
“However, what I went through in that marriage is evidence enough that child marriages are a pure evil. I had my first child at 15 and I had birth complications. I also experienced abuse in my marriage.
“I urge young girls to stay away from marriage until they are old enough. Realise your dreams first, not to rush into marriage,” she said.
Chief Marange thanked The Manica Post for getting into his community and raising awareness against child marriages.
He said something needs to be done urgently to protect the girl child from sexual predators.
Child marriages are often fueled by poverty, with girls being married off to reduce the perceived economic burden.
In addition, in families where it is believed that the girl child is inferior to the boy child, her education is not prioritised and therefore once out of school, she often ends up in a child marriage.
The event received support from the Zimbabwe Institute of Permaculture, Population Services Zimbabwe and the Big Rock.
