Child Marriages Hit Masvingo Province

Several pupils have dropped from school  in Mandamabwe area, Masvingo Province, due to early child marriages, parents have said.

“Many girl children who get into early marriages are a result of being orphans. They are being abused resulting in forced marriages,” Privilege Gurajena, a parent from Mhande village  in Ward 8 told Business Times.

He added: “Another reason is that many parents are failing to pay school fees for their girl children resulting in them getting into early marriages.

“Parents left with orphaned children must look after them so that they cannot get themselves into early marriage problems.”

Another parent, Tinei Munhuwei from Ndlanga Village told Business Times that girls had more complex situations than their male counterparts thus the misconception getting into a marriage was going to solve their eco-social problems.

“The problems which girls face are more than men, if they see a man who promises them heaven and earth they cannot resist. Worse if some do not have their biological parents and they are being abused by their step parents they opt for early marriage because they don’t have any option,” Munhuwei said.

A young parent Ellen Mundanga said it was very disheartening that many girls who got married at a tender age had many complications giving birth urging the government to assist such vulnerable children.

“It is very disheartening to hear that many girls are married before knowing the demands of a marriage. Many children are dying because of complications while giving birth.

“Orphans in many cases drop out from school because no one will continue paying for them. I urge the government to look into such vulnerable children through paying their fees. Government should look for donors for example we have Tugwi Trust and N Richards,” Mundanga  said.

However, the Masvingo Women Forum Chairperson Sungano Zvarebwanashe also weighed in saying religion had also become a catalyst for early marriages.

“Religion has become a catalyst for early girl child marriages, we urge the government to seriously intervene in trying to end early child marriages in some  churches. Perpetrators should be brought to book because many are known,” Zvarebwanashe said.

She added: “Nowadays children have become notorious that they no longer listen to their elders hence parents are having a torrid time to discipline them. I would like to urge children to obey their elders for a better future.” Business Times

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