Nhau Mangirazi,
Advocates for the rights of young women and girls have called on government to implement laws that protect and promote the rights and dignity of girls in primary and secondary schools. This follows after the reports from Primary and Secondary Education Ministry that more than 4 000, dropped out of school due to pregnancy in 2023.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerayi Moyo told Parliament last Wednesday that at least 4 557 girls, 134 being in primary school. The majority of young girls that fell pregnant within the timeline are based in rural areas.
Children’s rights advocates are blaming the state’s poor policy implementation that has exposed girls into falling pregnant while in school. Executive Director of Self-Help Development Foundation and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe Chairperson Muchanyara Mukamuri says education is the key towards girl’s empowerment and breaking cycles of poverty.
“Let us join forces to ensure every child has access to quality education and a brighter future. The alarming number of girls dropping out of school in 2023 is a stark reminder of the persistent barriers to education that girls face in the country,” said Mukamuri.
“Factors such as poverty, child marriage and gender-based violence contribute to this trend. It is crucial that we address these underlying issues and work towards creating a supportive environment that encourages girls to stay in school and reach their full potential,” Mukamuri added.
Mashonaland West Proportional Representative Mutsa Murombedzi called for decisive action from the government to enable every child to access education without and threat of sexual violence.
‘‘The government must ensure every girl can access education without fear and threat of sexual violence, particularly in rural areas where figures from the education minister show it is prevalent. This crisis is a human rights emergency and failing to act will condemn another generation of girls to exploitation, poverty and lost potential. Our girls deserve a future, not forced marriages,’’ said Murombedzi.
‘‘The 134 primary school girls dropping out of school due to pregnancy is a national issue that demands urgent action. These young girls, many victims of rape and exploitation, face a shattered future, trapped in vicious cycles of poverty. Poverty is often used as an excuse for this systemic child abuse, but such justifications must end. Predation on young girls must end.
‘‘No tradition or religion must defend child bride ceremonies and therefore, anyone facilitating or legitimizing these abuses, whether traditional leaders or community members, must be held criminally accountable,” Murombedzi said.
Murombedzi called for stronger laws to punish both perpetrators and those who preside over these so-called marriages.
Hweva Trust youth officer Talent Madziva noted that a closer look at the teen pregnancy statistics will show that most of the pregnancies are resulting from ‘rape of vulnerable girls by adult men.
“As Hweva Trust, our hope that the Criminal Laws Amendment Bill will be expediated to ensure that all children are protected from sexual exploitation by adults. This has become urgent and important,” said Madziva.
National coordinator for Men 4 Equality, Chaka Ruzvidzo urged that although some policies are in place to protect girl child, there are some loopholes.
‘‘There is no political will to implement the policies in place as required. We must empower the girl child from family and community level. Are we giving the girl child the same rights as the boys without segregation. Policies must empower traditional and church leadership to protect the girl child,” said Ruzvidzo.
