‘Arrest Parents Of Child Brides’- Health And Child Care Minister-David Parirenyatwa

PARENTS of children forced into early marriages should be arrested to help curb the scourge, Health and Child Care Minister David Parirenyatwa has said.

Speaking at Mahusekwa near Marondera last week, Dr Parirenyatwa challenged chiefs and other traditional leaders to fight against early child marriages in rural areas.

Stiff penalties should also be imposed on perpetrators, including parents who allow their children to be forced into such unions.

“Traditional leaders have a pivotal role in communities to curb early child marriages as they have a mandate to impose harsh penalties to men abusing adolescents,” said Parirenyatwa.

“No marriage should take place before a girl reaches the age of 18 and if any parent allows a marriage to take place, the parent should be arrested.”

Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of child marriage in Africa; with about 31% of local girls being married before their 18th birthday and another 4% before they turn 15.

The problem is blamed on the lack of education, poverty and religion especially among sects such as the Vapostori.

Campaigners say early marriage is not only a violation of a girl child’s rights but a serious threat to the health of victims.

Early and forced child marriages result in early childbearing for teens whose bodies are not fully developed, exposing them to risk of life threatening or debilitating health conditions.

Parirenyatwa said community leaders should play a leading role in helping end child marriages.

“We want Chiefs to lead in this fight through education and awareness in the communities because girls risk losing their lives and those of their unborn babies as complications are common to these young women once they fall pregnant,” he added.

The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) head in Harare, Annabel Gerry, said her organisation would continue supporting the government in educating girls on the issue.

“DFID has supported thousands of girls through educational programmes we undertake with the government and I am quite hopeful this will improve the situation in this country,” said Gerry. source-newzimbabwe