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Married too soon: Child marriage in Zimbabwe
Maureen Sibanda, Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU)
October 30, 2011

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Introduction

Several studies acknowledge that accurate data on the true extent of child marriage is difficult to obtain because many marriages go unregistered and girls' ages may be falsified (IPPF, 2006:11). However, UNICEF estimates that globally, some 64 million young women (aged 20-24) were married before the age of 18. One girl below the age of 18 is married off every three seconds worldwide, according to a British community development charity. A report from Plan UK, entitled 'Breaking Vows', states that 10 million under-18s become child brides every year. In developing countries - in Southern America, North Africa and parts of Asia - one in seven of all girls, under 15, are married. Rates of early and forced marriages are also high in Europe, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, where 2.2 million girls are married before their 18th birthday. The highest rates are in Georgia (17%) and Turkey (14%).

Allowing people to marry under the age of 18 is against several United Nations conventions and the practice is outlawed in most countries, but other countries turn a blind eye, especially in poorer communities. Child marriage is now widely recognised as a violation of children's rights. It is also a direct form of discrimination against the girl child, who, as a result of the practice, is often deprived of her basic rights to health, education, development, and equality. Tradition, religion, and poverty continue to fuel the practice of child marriage, despite its strong association with adverse reproductive health outcomes and the lack of education for girls.

Child marriage is common in Zimbabwe, and 21% of children (mostly girls) are married before the age of 18. According to the Girl Child Network (GCN), a civic organisation whose mission is to shelter, educate, and empower female victims, an estimated 8 000 girls have been forced into early marriages or were held as sex slaves since 2008. Chief Chiduku, a senator for Manicaland province in Zimbabwe and a member of the African Apostolic Church was quoted as having said there was nothing wrong with marrying off underage girls in a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee meeting. Statements like these from a chief do not come as a surprise because chiefs are the gatekeepers and custodians of custom and tradition. The question that arises is whether the 'tradition' of early marriages is something that society should perpetuate in view of the negative effects of the practice on the girl child as well as human rights standards that prohibit marriage under the age of 18. Should not tradition evolve and do away with aspects that are harmful to children and the girl child in particular?

Child marriage, also known as early marriage, is defined as "Any marriage carried out below the age of 18 years, before the girl is physically, physiologically, and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and childbearing". Child marriage involves either one or both spouses being children and may take place with or without formal registration, and under civil, religious, or customary laws. In many societies, and mostly in developing countries, child marriages are used to build or strengthen alliances between families. Sometimes this may even include the betrothals of young children or babies. Child marriage affects both sexes, but girls are disproportionately affected as they are the majority of the victims. Their overall development is compromised, leaving them socially isolated with little education, skills and opportunities for employment and self-realization. This leaves child brides more vulnerable to poverty, a consequence of child marriage as well as a cause.

Child marriage, also known as early marriage, is defined as "Any marriage carried out below the age of 18 years, before the girl is physically, physiologically, and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and childbearing". Child marriage involves either one or both spouses being children and may take place with or without formal registration, and under civil, religious, or customary laws. In many societies, and mostly in developing countries, child marriages are used to build or strengthen alliances between families. Sometimes this may even include the betrothals of young children or babies. Child marriage affects both sexes, but girls are disproportionately affected as they are the majority of the victims. Their overall development is compromised, leaving them socially isolated with little education, skills and opportunities for employment and self-realization. This leaves child brides more vulnerable to poverty, a consequence of child marriage as well as a cause.

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