Harare: Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) and Equality Now have jointly called for urgent legal reforms to provide better support for child marriage survivors in Zimbabwe. Despite Zimbabwe’s commendable legislative measures aimed at preventing child marriage, survivors continue to face significant challenges due to inadequate legal, institutional, and policy frameworks.
According to African Press Organization, the study titled “An Analysis of the Laws and Policies in Place for the Protection and Support of Victims/Survivors of Child Marriages in Zimbabwe: A Case Study for Epworth” reveals insights from survivors and civil society organizations in Epworth, Harare. The study identifies widespread poverty, limited access to services, and inadequate legal support as contributors to high rates of child marriage.
The policy brief, “Imperative Legal, Policy and Institutional Reforms for Enhanced Support and Protection of Child Marriage Victims and Survivors,” outlines the gaps in the current legal framework
and recommends key reforms. With 34% of Zimbabwean girls married before the age of 18, the country ranks among the top 20 in Africa for child marriage prevalence.
Zimbabwe has taken significant steps, including the Marriages Act of 2022, setting 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage and prohibiting child marriage. The Constitution and various acts like the Criminal Law and Children’s Act impose penalties for child exploitation. However, these efforts lack sufficient support systems for survivors.
The study highlights issues such as outdated laws, inconsistent sentencing, and lack of access to health services that disadvantage survivors. Resources for supporting these individuals are insufficient, and a new national action plan to replace the lapsed one from 2021 is yet to be adopted.
Dr. Mavis Sibanda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, emphasized the unequal power dynamics perpetuated by child marriage, which limits access to education and leadership for women and girls. WLSA and Equ
ality Now urge the government to reform laws, introduce a dedicated child marriage law, strengthen property rights, and increase public awareness to combat this issue effectively.
WLSA and Equality Now commit to supporting these reforms to create a society free from child marriage, ensuring comprehensive support for survivors. Sally Ncube, Equality Now’s Regional Representative, stresses the need for enhanced legal protection and support to empower married girls facing gender-based violence and exclusion.