By Flata Kavinga
Traditional leaders in Zhombe are intensifying efforts to curb child marriages through community awareness campaigns, while families involved in such cases are fined and perpetrators handed over to the police.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Day of the African Child commemorations held at Mgandani Secondary School in Zhombe yesterday (Thursday), Headman Nduku, born Munashe Dube, said his traditional leadership has been educating communities on children’s rights and the importance of keeping children in school.
“We have been holding meetings to educate villagers on the importance of education for our children and the need to protect their rights,” he said.
“We tell them about the dangers of child marriages and that it is against the law.”
He said when cases of child marriage are reported within his jurisdiction, the families involved are summoned before the traditional leadership and fined, while the alleged perpetrators are referred to the Zimbabwe Republic Police for criminal investigation.
“When such things happen in our village, we summon the involved families and fine them. We then hand over the perpetrator to the police and the victim is returned to her parents,” Headman Nduku said.
He added that girls who fall pregnant while attending school are encouraged to continue with their education.
“If the victim was in school, we allow her to proceed with her education,” he said.
Headman Nduku said all 18 girls from Mgandani and St Judes schools who reportedly fell pregnant had been assisted to return to school with the support of the local councillor.
He attributed some child marriages to poverty, saying development partners had helped affected girls resume their education.
“Some of the young girls were married off because of poverty. We were assisted by CAMFED and Plan International to get them back into school,” he said.
He said the traditional leadership was working closely with the police and Zibagwe Rural District Council to address child protection issues.
“We are seized with these issues while working hand in hand with Zibagwe Rural District Council and the police,” he said.
The Day of the African Child is commemorated annually to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children across the continent.
