PGA commends Zimbabwe in its latest achievement towards outlawing child marriage, by passing the Marriage Bill in both Houses and getting it signed into law by President Mnangagwa on 8 March--International Women's Day. PGA also takes this opportunity to reiterate the importance of parliaments and their members in protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls. Despite child and early marriages being gradually banned in more and more countries, 12 million girls are still being married before the age of 18 each year; that is, 23 girls every minute.
Zimbabwe has finally disentangled herself from the religious and cultural myths that perpetuated the scourge of child marriages. The long walk to freedom was not easy as it challenged political and religious influencing entities and the custodians of our culture.
The champions from different spheres of life, i.e.: legislators, civil society organizations, traditional chiefs, SADC Parliamentary Forum, and the Zimbabwe Minister of Justice, took arms and jointly went to battle with one agenda to End Child Marriages. All of us won the battle.
While we have finally legally outlawed child marriages, we are yet to end the practice. Factors that lead to child marriages -gender inequality, poverty, social norms and insecurity- are still here. For champions, it's back to the drawing board to strategize on enforcement.Hon. Dr. Labode, MP (Zimbabwe)
