United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon has raised the issue of child marriages whilst giving remarks on the day of the African Child today in Harare.
Child marriages are a form of domestic violence according to the domestic violence bill.
“Girls in Zimbabwe are married early,” Kallon said.
“By age 19, when most children are expected to be starting their university or tertiary education, over half of the girls in the country are already in marriage. This reduces their chances of realising their full potential in life as well as exposing them to other vulnerabilities like sexual and gender-based violence and poverty.”
The Resident Coordinator also said child marriage compromises girls’ development and often results in early pregnancy and social isolation.
“The practice of child marriage further perpetuates the unrelenting cycle of gender inequality and often increases their risk of violence,” Kallon said.
“Girls who are married young are at risk of rape and physical violence as they lack power in relation to their husbands and in-laws.”
Economic hardships and the negative impact of COVID-19 have been blamed for the reversal in the successes made in fighting inequality.
The day of the African Child celebrated on 16 June 2022 goes under the theme “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy and Practice since 2013.”
Africa celebrates the day of the African Child at a time when an estimated 150 million more girls worldwide are expected to be married by 2030 unless accelerated efforts are done to end child marriages.
