Child marriages rampant in Chivi
TATENDA CHIKARA IN CHIVI
An alarming rise in child marriages has hit Chivi district in Masvingo Province, with concerned parents urging the government to educate church and traditional leaders about children’s rights.
Grace Mukungunugwa, a councillor for Ward 5, under chief Madyangove, said some children were dropping out from school at grades 6 and 7.
“Cases of early child marriages have become a major problem here in my ward. I’m very worried when I see some Apostolic Sect men marrying girls under the ages of 16.
“Most children do not know the challenges faced by getting married early, they need serious knowledge of what they will be looking forward to. Some girls have even dropped out from school at grades 6 and 7,” Mukungunugwa said.
She added: “I think the government should intervene and educate these (mapostori) on the rights of children as they argue it was their religion which allows them to do so.
“Some children are bought chips and sweets so that they fall in love with big men not knowing they will be used and dumped.”
The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) spokesperson for Masvingo Province, Herbert Chikosi, told Business Times that there were offering contraceptives to youths under ages of 19 and sexual education to delay sexual activities.
“It has, however, not been easy because of culture and society that inhibits unmarried youths to access contraceptives and sexuality education as they argue it promotes sexual activities,” Chikosi said.
The ZNFPC said it was working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to strengthen information dissemination, life skills and abstinence programs.
