Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – Traditional leaders have raised alarm over rising cases of child marriages and teenage pregnancies, and pledged to intensify efforts to protect children from these social ills.
The outcry follows statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) indicating over 30 percent of girls in the country are married before the age of 18, with rural and impoverished communities disproportionately affected.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder indaba on child rights on Friday, President of the Chiefs Council, Chief Mtshane Khumalo highlighted the critical role of traditional leaders in safeguarding children’s future.
“As chiefs, we have been called upon by various stakeholders to lead the fight against child marriages and teenage pregnancies. We cannot, in good conscience, lead communities where young girls are forced into marriage and motherhood while they are still children themselves,” Khumalo said.
Chief Khumalo urged his fellow traditional leaders to treat the issue with urgency, calling for a united front to end the scourge.
“I implore my fellow chiefs not to take this matter lightly. We must strategise and act decisively to eradicate these social ills from our communities.
“As custodians of tradition, we must serve as the eyes of the government and its partners in enforcing laws and programs designed to protect our children,” he said.
Chief Nelukoba of Mabale, Matabeleland North Province, echoed Chief Khumalo’s sentiments, reaffirming traditional leaders’ commitment to supporting government efforts to eliminate child marriages by 2030.
“We remain vigilant against those who exploit our children. Village heads and headmen are continuously being educated on the amended laws to ensure they take firm action against offenders,” Nelukoba said.
Teenage pregnancies and child marriages remain pressing challenges in Zimbabwe, with recent statistics painting a grim picture.
In 2024 alone, approximately 5,700 teenage girls fell pregnant across the country.
However, experts warn the actual number could be higher, as many cases go unreported due to illegal abortions or lack of access to antenatal care.
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