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Ronald Takudzwa Sambona
Youth Interactive Writer
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child has the right to education, emphasising the need to learn about human rights and respect for diverse cultures.
In Zimbabwe, the Education Act of 1987 reinforces this framework, making it a punishable offense for parents to deny their children the opportunity to learn.
Tragically, the harsh reality of child pregnancies looms large. In 2022, a nine- year-old girl from Tsholotsho District was impregnated by an adult man, who was later arrested.
Thankfully, the child survived and gave birth, but such incidences rob children of their innocence and the right to simply be children.
This raises a critical question: how can we defend the girl child’s right to education as enshrined in Section 75 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution?
Investing in girls’ education is one of the most effective ways to combat poverty.
The World’s Children’s Prize Magazine asserts that when girls are educated, they tend to marry later and have fewer, healthier children.
Basic education empowers them to demand respect for their rights, with every additional year of schooling increasing a girl’s future salary by up to 20 percent.
Yet, many parents still believe that investing in their daughters’ education is futile, as they will eventually marry into another family.
Of the 125 million children worldwide, who do not attend school, 75 million are girls.
Zimbabwe has made strides in advancing the rights of the girl child.
The Marriages Act, signed into law in 2022, prohibits the marriage of minors under 18.
This was a significant victory; however, schools still grapple with issues of early pregnancies, sexual abuse, and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
These challenges divert girls from their studies and lead to declining academic performance.
Many eventually drop out, increasing their vulnerability to abuse at home.
Mwanasikana, remember that knowledge is power. Without education, you risk becoming a victim of those who see you only as a potential wife or a means of fulfilling their desires.
It is disheartening to hear schoolgirls express a desire to marry instead of pursuing their education. What happened to the hunger for freedom and knowledge? Marriage is not the ultimate goal; it is merely one part of life.
Beyond marriage lies liberty, literacy, and empowerment. Education is not just important; it is essential. It remains the key to eradicating gender-based violence and overcoming ignorance.
Education is a powerful tool for achieving total emancipation and tackling poverty. Globally, 1.4 billion people live on less than $1.25 a day, with 70 percent of them being women and girls.
This statistic underscores the urgency of education as a pathway to empowerment.
Mwanasikana, education is your inherent right.
Any discrimination against your access to quality education is not only unlawful but also a violation of fundamental human rights.
Now is the time.
Ronald Takudzwa Sambona is an A-Level student at St John’s Chikwaka Secondary School
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