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A NEWSPAPER article in the issue of March 9, 2014 revealed that recent research indicates that the Johane Marange sect is one of the worst perpetrators of child marriages in Zimbabwe to the extent that 21 percent of the married women were under the age of 18.What is surprising is that it is usually the men who are given dreams of who should become their next wives in their already polygamous marriages. The women in the church it seems, rarely dream.
There is no violation of children’s rights that exceeds child marriage. Firstly, the choice of a mate is jeopardised and secondly there are huge implications as this affects the child’s education, reproductive health and both mental and physical growth is disturbed to a point of no recovery.
It must be borne in mind that children need years in order to develop a sound readiness for marriage. Evidence has shown that the more successful marriages are not associated with youthful partners. Many of the people who marry young would a few years later lose interest and choose someone else or fall in love again. A mature woman enters into marriage with greater certainty and confidence.
Girls who are forced into marriage at a tender age have problems adjusting to sexual relations, spending money and associating with in-laws among other things. Divorce and separation are also high among couples with a wider age difference.
Child marriages are a handicap right at the outset because they are entered into hastily without considering the feelings of that child and usually there is no approval from the affected child and generally there is no time for acquaintance. There is also less consideration of the realities that will be faced after the marriage.
According to a research conducted by UNFPA, one in three girls in developing countries excluding China will probably marry before they are 8 years old and one out of nine girls will be married before the age of 15. According to UNFPA, by 2020 142 million girls will be married by their 18th birthday if the trend continues.
While there are pieces of legislation such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC), child marriage persists in most countries and has caused untold pain and suffering to young girls .The Domestic Violence Act is also clear in terms of cultural harmful practices such as child marriages. Such acts should be reported to the Victim Friendly Unit.
In Zimbabwe the Legal Age of Majority is 18 years and while most parents are aware of this they still marry off their young daughters due to poverty and lack of education and knowledge about the legal implications of such acts. While puberty should be an exciting phase to adulthood, most of these girls are forced into marriage thereby disturbing the whole process.
It must be borne in mind that child marriage is a violation of human rights. The child is denied the choice to choose her life partner. Does it really make sense when a 67 year old man becomes intimate with a 15 year old child?
According to UNFPA Mozambique had a rate of 52 percent child marriage rate, Malawi 50 percent, Uganda 46 percent, Somalia 45 percent, Zambia 42 percent, Ethiopia 41 percent and Nigeria 39 percent. Factors that influence child marriage include the level of education of the parents, their economic status, setting and dwellings including whether it is urban or rural, it is also recorded that children who marry early do not use contraceptives and have complications while giving birth.
UNFPA projects that if current trends in child marriages continue by 2030, the number of child brides marrying each year will grow by 14 percent from 2010. Given this scenario, it is imperative for governments to put in place all measures to curb it. It is also better for parents to invest in a girl child than to ruin her life due to the love of material things that have very little significance.
Children are precious let us protect them from unnecessary abuse and suffering.
Vaidah Mashangwa is the Provincial Development Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs Gender and Community Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. She can be contacted on 0772 111 592. E-mail vmashangwa@gmail .com.
Online Reporter