UN condemns death of school girl at shrine

Latwell Nyangu

THE United Nations in Zimbabwe has strongly condemned the tragic death of Nokutenda Hwaramba.

She died while giving birth at an apostolic church shrine.

The death brought shock and outrage in Norton.

The 15-year-old Grade 7 pupil died last week at a shrine in Bikita.

In a statement, the UN said:

“All forms of violence and early forced marriages contravene the Convention on the rights of the child to which Zimbabwe is a signatory.

“The United Nations in Zimbabwe urges the authorities to conduct investigations into this matter and to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.

“Under the Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative Country programme, a High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) to end violence against women and girls and harmful practices, including child marriages, was signed by the Government.”

Continued the statement:

“Subsequently, the country enacted the Marriage Act which prohibits marriage of children under 18 years and the Constitutional Court ruled this year that the legal age of sexual consent be raised from 16 to 18 years in May 2022.

“The UN calls for enforcement of national laws and policies to ensure full protection of young girls from all forms of sexual violence and harmful practices.”