A YOUTHS rights lobby group, Real Opportunities for Transformation Support (ROOTS), next month plans to launch a six-month long campaign aimed at taming the scourge of forced and early marriages among young girls below 18 years. Phyllis Mbanje
The campaign to be held under the theme, “Not Ripe For Marriage”, will be launched in Harare on August 1.
“It will raise awareness on the perils of forced, child and early marriages at the same time fundraising to build an economic base for marginalised girls and young women,” said Roots director Beatrice Savadye.
“We condemn this act of injustice which is rearing its ugly head from time to time in our society. Such practices should never be allowed to continue in this day and age under a new constitutional dispensation, where all people are equal irrespective of gender and age,” she said.
Roots has roped in several ministries, parliamentary portfolio committees, local NGOS, churches and other religious groups, artistes, media and the private sector to participate in the campaign.
According to statistics from a local think tank, Research in Advocacy Unit (RAU) 31% of Zimbabwean girls often find themselves in marriages before they reach the age of 18. The study attributed the marriages to poverty which is forcing parents to marry off their daughters.
Traditional and religious beliefs have also been blamed for fuelling child marriages.
United Nations Children’s Education Fund also reported that 39 000 girls are married off every day worldwide and according to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) between 2011 and 2020, more than 140 million girls will become child brides.
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“Lack of adequate schools and recreational facilities that favour the girl child are just a few of the many agents that are fuelling this plague,” Savadye said.
Harare West legislator Jesse Majome (MDC-T) said it was critical to reach out to as many people as possible especially those in positions of authority and influence.
“The campaign will generate awareness in all sectors and leaders in various spheres will help bring that change we hope to achieve,” she said.
“The worst is when families conspire to cover up rape by forcing the perpetrator to marry the young girl, that is just horrible.” The campaign will also include radio talk shows, social media campaigns, awareness marches in all the major cities and rural community dialogue meetings.
