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Zimbabwe govt to craft single marriage laws regime

by Staff reporter
22 Oct 2016 at 17:24hrs | Views
Vice President Emmeson Mnanganwa says government will soon craft a single marriage laws regime that will redress discrimination against women.

Mnangagwa made the remarks during the presentation of parliamentarians' girls pledge to civil society.

Cognisant of the need to protect and advance the cause of the girl child, parliamentarians have made a declaration to protect girls from abuse.

A ceremony was held to present the parliamentarians' pledge to the civil society.

Officiating at the event Mnangagwa who is also responsible for the administration of the justice, legal and parliamentary affairs ministry said government will soon craft a single marriage laws regime with consultations expected to commence soon.

Mnangagwa who stressed government's desire to end child marriages and eliminate all forms of discrimination against women said his ministry has identified areas requiring amendment in the criminal law adding that principles with regards to mandatory sentencing on rape will be presented to cabinet in due course.

Parliamentarians and other cooperating partners who graced the occasion said they are ready to play their part in ensuring that there are laws to reclaim the dignity of girls.

They pledged to intensify the campaign to end child marriages.

Child President Tinaye Mbavari highlighted that more needs to be done towards the realization of a child marriages free Zimbabwe.

A passionate plea was made during the occasion for all religious and traditional leaders to publicly condemn all forms of abuse of the girl child.

On January 20, 2016 the Constitutional Court made a landmark ruling banning child marriages in Zimbabwe.

The ruling raised the minimum age at which both men and women can marry to 18.

Source - zbc