admin
Walter Nyamukondiwa in SIAKOBVU
Chiefs in Kariba district and other stakeholders are participating in a two-day consultative meeting to come up with strategies to reduce child marriages.
Kariba district has recorded a high number of child marriage cases with investigations showing that the cases compound with increased economic activity.
Child marriage cases are rampant in areas where cotton farming is done such as Mamvuramachena, fishing camps and gold mining activities.
This comes amid reports that 105 learners have dropped out of school in the first half of the year with 54 of them getting into marriage.
Chief Nebiri said ending child marriages starts at the family level and a return to tradition.
“Our culture has been diluted by alien cultures which have been legislated into law,” said Chief Nebiri.
“Our children now have too many rights which has taken away the power that parents and teachers used to have. This has led to an increase in the ills we see now in our society.”
The Tony Waite Organisation director Mrs Ellen Vengere said communities should be vigilant against child marriages.
“Cases should be reported so that they are dealt with conclusively and punishment meted where it is due. This should be deterrent for would-be offenders,” she said.
The meeting was attended by chiefs Nebiri, Msampakaruma, Negande and Mola while stakeholders including representatives of Government’s social clusters representing women, education and youths.
Online Reporter