Harare: Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) and Equality Now have issued a call for urgent legal reforms to better support survivors of child marriage in Zimbabwe. Despite significant legislative efforts to prevent child marriage, the survivors continue to face substantial hurdles in securing justice and support.
According to African Press Organization, WLSA and Equality Now are urging the Government of Zimbabwe and relevant stakeholders to enhance protections by strengthening legal, institutional, and policy frameworks. This call to action follows a 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.” The study highlights the experiences of survivors and civil society organizations in Epworth, a densely populated area in Harare. Challenges such as poverty, limited access to services, and lack of information perpetuate high rates of child marriage in the community.
The corresponding poli
cy brief, “Imperative Legal, Policy and Institutional Reforms for Enhanced Support and Protection of Child Marriage Victims and Survivors,” outlines the gaps in current laws and suggests key legal reforms. Despite Zimbabwe’s commitments to national legislation and international treaties, including the Marriages Act of 2022 and the Children’s Act, the country ranks among the top 20 in Africa for child marriage prevalence.
The study points out that while Zimbabwe has ratified significant regional and international instruments, there are still outdated legal frameworks and insufficient support systems for survivors. Inconsistent sentencing for perpetrators and limited access to reproductive health services further exacerbate the issue. The lapsing of the National Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage in 2021, without a new plan, has also hindered effective implementation.
Dr. Mavis Sibanda, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, emphasized
the inequality and poverty perpetuated by child marriage during the study’s launch in Harare. She highlighted the need for urgent reform to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty and limited opportunities for women and girls.
In response to the study’s findings, WLSA and Equality Now have proposed several recommendations, including aligning national laws with the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage, introducing a dedicated child marriage law, and strengthening property rights for survivors. They also advocate for increased public awareness and education about rights and support services, as well as the reinstatement of a national action plan on ending child marriages.
Sally Ncube, Equality Now’s Regional Representative for Southern Africa, stressed the need for comprehensive legal protection and support measures for survivors. She called for strengthened implementation, enforcement, and oversight mechanisms to ensure that survivors have access to justice, healthcare, and education.
WLSA and Equality No
w remain committed to supporting legal reforms and interventions to eliminate child marriage and provide comprehensive support to survivors.