By Logic Chatikobo in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe

A disturbing trend is emerging in Buhera South Ward 28, where child marriage is increasingly becoming a norm. The root causes of this issue are multifaceted, including child abuse, poverty, and peer pressure in schools. The consequences are far-reaching, leading to divorce, gender-based violence, and even loss of life among young girls.

Residents and community leaders attribute the rise in child marriage to various factors. Mrs. Tapiwa Musengi, a local resident, notes that parents who leave their children in the care of grandparents while they work abroad often inadvertently contribute to the problem.

“This practice is mostly caused by parents who leave their children in the custody of grandparents as they leave for the diaspora. So these children will come to a situation when they want some nice things such as sweets and snacks which grandparents will not be in a position to provide. So the children will end up falling into a trap of marriage by older men whom they think will provide them with nice things. But once they are impregnated, they are rejected wily nilly,” she explains.

Musengi further emphasizes that a lack of effective parental guidance and peer pressure also play a significant role in the rise of child marriage.

“Most children are pushed into early marriage because of a number of factors such as the constant change of caregivers who may not be offering effective parental guidance. Others succumb to peer pressure where they are misinformed to not see the risk of early child marriage. They are made to view it as a fantasy,” she adds.

Community health worker Mrs. Gamuchirai Muchafa, highlights the devastating consequences of child marriage, including early pregnancies that endanger the lives of young girls.

“The problems they will face as a result include early pregnancies that will endanger their lives especially as they navigate through the complicated delivery processes,” she warns.

To address this issue, Muchafa stresses the importance of empowering vulnerable children with skills to beat poverty.

“Part of the solution is to equip these vulnerable children with skills that will empower them against poverty,” she suggests.

Mrs. Chenesai Munokotso, another community leader, echoes the same sentiments, emphasizing that caregivers’ abuse and neglect often drive children to seek escape in marriage, only to face further exploitation and regret.

“Most caregivers are abusing children to the extent of having these victimized children running away from home preferring to be married. The problems they will face are so serious that they end up regretting ever getting married because they find themselves being abused again in those early marriages. Let’s all play a part of protecting these vulnerable girls by ensuring their empowerment so that they can beat poverty,” she urges.

The community is calling for urgent action to address this issue. By providing support and resources to vulnerable children, we can help them avoid the pitfalls of child marriage and build a brighter future. Let us work together to protect these young girls and ensure their empowerment against poverty.