Stop child marriages Africa urged

 
The African Union (AU) says there is need for African countries to prioritise the campaign to stop child marriages following revelations that every year, 14 million girls get married before turning 18.

Most African countries are plagued with the vice of child marriages with 31 percent of women in Zimbabwe getting into marriage while under the age of 18.

AU Goodwill Ambassador for the Campaign to end Child Marriages, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda told journalists in Harare that worldwide, 39000 girls are forced into early marriages on a daily basis, translating to 14 million girls per year.

"Child violence is tantamount to legitimising rape and it is usually because of a lack of resources," Gumbonzvanda said.

Rozaria Memorial Trust Communications Officer, Allen Chitsanzara said they have launched a programme that seeks to empower girls to realise that despite being in a patriarchal society they can be empowered through education.

"We have launched a programme whereby the girl child is made to realise that they can chart their own destiny through a mentorship programme," he said.

Real Opportunities for Transformation Support director, Beatrice Savadye said their campaign is meant to raise awareness on the dangers of forced and early marriages among girls below the age of 18.

"Zimbabweans must realise that forcing young girls into marriage jeopardises their future," said Savadye.

While countries with the highest prevalence of child marriages are concentrated in western and sub-Saharan Africa, due to population size, the largest number of child brides resides in South Asia.