Chiefs draw closer to ending child marriage
Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
Significant progress has been made in ending child-marriage in Mashonaland Central Province, with draft by-laws that will be adopted by Chiefs now at an advanced stage.
Chiefs have reached a consensus that traditional customs can be preserved while protecting the girl child from the scourge of early marriage rampant in Mashonaland Central Province.
Chief Negomo told ZBC News on the side-lines of an anti-child marriage by-law validation meeting in Mazowe on Tuesday, that gender based violence will be viciously fought and eradicated.
“The program regards anti child-marriage marriage bylaws and is going on well here in Mash Central. We have been enlightened, regards this issue because Chiefs have embraced it. We thought we were disagreeing with roman Dutch law and traditional laws and customs but now see we are on the same path. The animal called GBV will soon come to an end. We are now pulling in the same direction and we shall take the lead in showing that we have won against child marriages,” he said.
Legal experts unpacked the by-laws draft to traditional leaders.
“Our by-law will strengthen collaboration between government ministries, chiefs and civil society,” noted a legal expert.
The National Aids Council driving the by-laws formulation process in conjunction with conjunction with the Young People’s Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health Young People is keen to curb gender based violence as it fuels HIV.
“For us in the health sector, “not in my village” is a noble idea because gender based violence which includes child marriages, forced marriages is one of key drivers of HIV. It drives new HIV infections,” said NAC Provincial Manager,
Mr Edgar Muzulu.
The draft by-laws will compliment laws discouraging child marriage including the marriages act and the criminal law codification and reform act which outlaw marriage of children below 18 years.
