CHINHOYI – CHILD marriages are the major stumbling block towards the development
Sub–Saharan Africa.
These challenges were highlighted during Merck Foundation Health Media Training,
zoom meeting organised by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa ambassador of the
foundation, and Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (ZINEF).
Speaking during a virtual meeting, Dr Francisca Tshitenge Bwalya, consultant
psychiatrist and Head of Clinical Care at Chainama Hills Hospital, National Mental
Health Co-ordinator, Merck Foundation Alumni, Zambia, said child marriages are
common in East and Southern Africa, adding that 27 percent of women in the area have
given birth by the age of 18 years.
She also said early marriages violate girl human rights, increases sexual violence, risky
pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and general health risks of women and
girls.
These diseases related challenges are two main causes of mortality among young
women in Sub–Saharan Africa.
Rasha Kelej, Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer, said STIs such as chlamydia
and gonorrhoea may have few or no symptoms, but if left untreated these silent
infections can result in pelvic inflammatory diseases.
STIs can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tube, uterus and surrounding
tissues leading to serious complications such as chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy
and infertility.
Child marriages have a negative impact on the development of the country. Girls
married before completing their education have limited opportunities for employment.
Child marriages often lead to school drop-out, deprives girls of their rights, pushing
them further into poverty and it increases the risks of domestic violence.
It also affects and reduces women’s contribution to the economic development of the
country.
In Mashonaland West Province, Hurungwe District, has the highest number of child
marriages.
Last year on May 27 the President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law the
Marriages Act, which prohibits marriage of minors under the age of 18, after noticing
that child marriages have a devastating impact on the lives of girls.
