By Tendai Chisiri
14- year – old Anna Machaya from Manicaland’s death on 6 June 2021 whilst giving birth was met with major upset triggering Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) to set up an inquiry.
At a press briefing in the capital last Friday, ZGC chairperson Commissioner Margaret Mukahanana – Sangarwe said there is going to be a nationwide investigation and public inquiry on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) on young girls including those with disabilities.
The inquiry started from 4 to 8 May with closed hearings conducted with various stakeholders. These will be followed by provincial hearings starting with 5 Spotlight Initiative Provinces namely Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Matebeleland South from 8 May to 10 June 2022.
“Child marriages is a violation of human rights and the ZGC is concerned with the surge in the practise as well as the exploitataion of young women and girls. The Zimbabwe National Stastics Agency (ZIMSTAT), indicates that 33.7% of girls aged under 18 are married”, she said.
The stastics depict that one in three girls under the age of 18 are married. ZIMSTAT also cited that 2% of boys get married before reaching the age of 18.
The outcome of the public inquiry will be a report that will offer recommendations on both policy, legal interventions and other political measures to curb child marriages.
UNDP represented by Madelena Minoja deputy resident representative on behalf of resident representative Mia Seppo congratulated ZGC on rolling out the inquiry on ending child marriages and SEA of women and girls in apostolic sect.
“This is a scourge and vice that need to be rooted out in all communities and societies. Girls and boys deserve peaceful communities. An inquiry of this nature is an important evidence and data gathering exercise that will inform a systematic and targeted response”, she said.
“Last year in July, a 14 – year -old died whilst giving birth at an Apostolic shrine in Marange, Manicaland Province in a case that is now referred to as Anna Machaya case. It was the case that brought to the fore, the scourge of SEA of young women and girls including those with disabilities fuelled by the harmful systematic issues within religious and cultural practices”, she added.
Sustainable development goal number 5 affirmatively speaks on gender equality in all spheres and the need to foster initiatives and opportunities for our children through an inclusive approach in line with the 2030 SDG Agenda of “Leaving No One Behind”.
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