daniel chigunwe
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
BEITBRIDGE paramount Chief Tshitaudze (David Mbedzi) has bemoaned a surge in teen pregnancies and child marriages in the area.
Statistics from the National Aids Council (NAC) show that last year alone, approximately 5 700 teenage girls were impregnated in Matabeleland South and the province recorded 85 372 cases of female teenage marriages.
Beitbridge and Insiza districts have emerged as the epicentres of this crisis, with Beitbridge accounting for 31 248 teen marriage cases and Insiza recording 20 872.
Speaking at the burial of Headman Mabidi on Tuesday at Mutetengwe Village in Beitbridge West, Chief Tshitaudze said the state of affairs was a serious cause for concern.
“As traditional leaders, we are gravely concerned over this situation, where as a district we are leading the pack in condoning moral decadence, especially where the culture of marrying young children is concerned,” said Chief Tshitaudze.
“Child marriages should come to an end; we can’t be leading in this bad practice. In fact, we are destroying the future of children”.
He said the fight to end and minimise teenage pregnancies and child marriages should start at the village level.
The traditional leader said kraal/village heads working in harmony with the police and all arms of Government should help reduce this scourge.
He strongly warned community members engaging in such criminal practices that their days are numbered.
“I encourage community members to report perpetrators of such practices to traditional leaders or the police. Honestly, we can’t lead with such bad practices. This is heartbreaking,” lambasted the chief.
“As a community, let’s set a good example on critical issues such as pushing development, economically or in terms of infrastructure.
“Zimbabweans and the rest of the world should learn or copy better projects from us, not this. We are a well cultured and orderly community, please let this development worry each and every adult here. Let’s turn a new leaf”.
The traditional leader’s clarion call comes shortly after the Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launched the “Not-in-My-Village” Campaign, aimed at ending teenage pregnancies.
Insiza and Beitbridge have been selected as the pilot areas for the project, with priority being given to the hotspots within these districts.
At a recent “Not in My Village” campaign meeting in Bulawayo, stakeholders highlighted several contributing factors, including cultural and religious practices, long distances to school, the influence of social media, poverty, parental absence, limited education and late-night parties, among others.
To address some of these root causes, participants suggested that more schools be constructed, cyber security laws be strengthened guidance and counselling in schools and the economic empowerment of youths.
Online Reporter