EARLY marriages have become a major source of worry in rural communities, in the wake of revelations that only one girl set for her grade seven examinations at one of the schools in Marondera after her peers dropped out.
The situation in Marondera District confirms that some communities have reached a point where the girl child counts herself lucky to sit for grade seven examinations.
This comes after revelations that only one girl made it for grade seven examinations at Maringari primary school with the rest having dropped out due to early marriages.
Only four girls had registered for grade seven examinations this year but the other three could not make it, while others dropped out in lower grades due to early marriages.
“We had four girls who had registered for grade seven but the other three fell pregnant so we were left with only one,” said Grace Shoniwa, Maringari Primary SDC Chairperson.
Participants at the Zimbabwe Gender Commission organised community sensitisation meeting held in Marondera this Tuesday highlighted some of these issues affecting the girl child adding that there is need for urgent action.
“As traditional leaders we are very much against these issues of child marriages and we are working with government and other stakeholders to stop this practice,” said Commissioner Chief Chikwozo of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
“As a school it pains to see your colleagues dropping out of school before writing examinations so this has to be stopped,” said one girl.
“Those who are seen to supporting this evil practice should be arrested so that it sends a message to others,” said another girl.
According to the multiple indicator cluster survey of 2019, Mashonaland East province has the highest prevalence rate of early marriages at 37,8 percent for girls and 3,4 percent for boys.
ZBC
