By Flata Kavinga
Zibagwe Rural District Junior Council Chairperson Arthur Matashu says child marriages are fast eroding the future of young people and worsening poverty in rural communities, urging parents, traditional leaders and government institutions to intensify interventions that protect minors.
Speaking during an interview at the Zibagwe Rural District Council Junior MPs and Councillors Engagement with Senior MPs and Councillors in Redcliff, Matashu said the practice continues to destabilize families and undermine education efforts across the district.
Matashu said the starting point in tackling the crisis is recognising that anyone below 18 is a child and therefore not ready—physically, emotionally or mentally—to enter marriage.
“The impact of child marriage on individuals is extremely steep. We are seeing premature births, health complications and even premature deaths because the girl’s body is simply not matured enough,” he said.
He added that early marriage remains one of the leading causes of school dropouts in Zibagwe and across Zimbabwe, with many affected children losing their chance to complete basic education.
“Child marriage is leading to high levels of school dropouts. These children were supposed to be in school preparing for their futures, but once they marry, their prospects are destroyed,” he said.
Matashu warned that child brides often face emotional distress, violence and exploitation, particularly in unions involving older partners such as artisanal miners.
“They cannot handle the demands of marriage. Many suffer depression because they are not ready emotionally or mentally. If married to someone involved in violence, they may face abuse, and that destroys their future completely,” he said.
Beyond individual harm, Matashu noted that child marriages weaken entire communities. He said young people who could have become future professionals end up isolated, dependent and cut off from opportunities.
“If Janet was supposed to become a doctor and she marries early, the community loses a doctor. That is brain drain at community level,” he said.
He further stated that early marriage contributes to household poverty, as many victims lack education and cannot support themselves or their families.
“You are now in a marriage without qualifications. If your husband loses his income, you cannot sustain the family. This creates a cycle of poverty,” he said.
Matashu also highlighted rising peer pressure and social media influence as new drivers of early marriage, saying young girls often receive misguided encouragement from friends or online spaces.
“Children are facing social pressure from peers and from social media. If they cannot determine right from wrong, they become vulnerable,” he said.
He pointed to lack of parental guidance as a major factor enabling child marriages, saying children need stronger direction from home.
“We want parents to be actively involved in guiding their children. Without parental control, children lose direction,” he said.
Matashu also raised concerns over gender inequality, cultural practices and misinterpretation of laws, saying these factors contribute to harmful decisions among families.
“There is a knowledge gap. Some parents and children do not fully understand the laws protecting minors. We need awareness and educational campaigns across ministries,” he said.
He added that while Zimbabwe is regarded as a highly educated nation, its communities continue to struggle with practices like child marriage, which contradict the country’s development ambitions.
“As Zimbabweans, we are highly educated, yet we still suffer from some of the worst problems. If we cannot apply what we learn, that is a challenge we must address,” he said.
The ZRDC Junior Council, together with senior councillors and Members of Parliament, is running engagements aimed at strengthening child protection, improving awareness, and empowering communities to curb child marriages.
The workshop was funded by Plan International.
