By Tatenda Mujeyi
The First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has bemoaned the increasing number of child marriages in Mashonaland Central.
Zimbabwe has perennially been criticized for condoning child marriage with the recent death of a 14-year-old, Anna Machaya at a Marange shrine fostered for a protracted war against child marriage.
Officially opening Musenhende Clinic, the First Lady said it was disheartening that the province topping list in child marriages.
“I feel disheartened by the prevalence of child marriage in Mashonaland Central province, what has become of us to be characterized by this ill, is it hunger, poverty, artisanal mining?” the First lady inquired.
In a bid to explore the real issues that are heightening child marriage in the province, the first lady afforded community members the chance to divulge the challenges with artisanal mining, cultural rituals and young girls’ demeanors coming topical.
While the challenges remained consistent within the province, there were calls for availing education as a mitigation tool as it fully empowered the girl child.
“Education can be a key enabler to combat the challenges of addressing child marriage and also complement the effort by the first lady to see an improvement on the girl child’s circumstances.” Honourable Mugwenhi said
The advantage of utilising education to curb child marriage was also viewed as not only availing professional opportunity but also the concentration and commitment required.
“A major challenge with the girl child in the constituency is dropping out of school which in turn resulted in children below 15 having nothing to do which increased the chances of early sexual indulgence which education can curb through availing duty and purpose to the girl child.” Honourable Mugwenhi also said.
School’s remain a challenge in most constituency’s owing to the land reform program which saw previously unoccupied areas being settled despite lack of infrastructure.
“As you would know the sanctions rendered government incapable to fully meet it’s obligations despite it’s commitment. You would acknowledge the commitment to infrastructure development by the second republic through President Mnangagwa.
“However, schools remain a challenge as in my constituency the challenge of Secondary Schools.” Honourable Mugwenhi also said.
About Author
