The Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) on Friday gathered to discuss the issue on child marriages in Zimbabwe and how best they can alleviate the issue.
Speaking during the gathering in Harare, Zimbabwe Youth Council Chairperson, Ms Chiedza Juru said they are concerned with the growing reports of child marriages across the nation.
This came following the case of 14 years old Anna Machaya who recently died during child birth at a Johanne Marange church shrine in Manicaland.
Ms Juru stated that in Zimbabwe approximately 1 in 3 girls is married before 18 years which is the legal age of majority.
“More that 650 million women alive today were married before the age of 18. In Zimbabwe, approximately 1 in 3 girls is married before 18, the legal age of majority. Anna Machaya was one of these statistics. A child married off to an older man, abused, impregnated, and died while giving birth.” She said
Furthermore, Ms Juru went on to say as ZYC they have taken steps to ensure that the nation protects the girl child.
“We will continue to advocate for laws, policies, and programmes that protect our girls and empower their communities” She said.
In addition, Ms Juru urged Zimbabweans to protect the girl child by ending child marriages.
“We all have a responsibility to protect ,calculate and empower our girls ensuring they grow in a healthy environment where they can achieve full potential.
“Child marriages are detrimental because they violate girls’ rights to health, education and opportunity,” She added.
Poverty is a key cause of child marriage. Robbed of the chance to grow, learn and fully realise their potential, child brides are usually disempowered.