By Thandiwe GarusaGIRLS in Zimbabwe’s marginalised communities are increasingly being married off as a desperate survival tactic by families grappling with the impact of climate change.Zimbabwe is one of the countries in Africa hardest hit by the climate change phenomenon, which has resulted in hunger, poverty and displacement.Speaking during a recent parliamentary session, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Member of Parliament for Mashonaland West Mutsa Murombedzi said some of these vulnerable girls are being married off for food.“Recently in Mutoko, a bright Form 2 pupil dropped out of school to marry a man twice her age, because the parents could no longer pay school fees.“The same situation was in Gokwe where a 13-year-old was removed from school after Grade 7 results came out. She was married off for groceries and a few blankets.“These girls wanted to be teachers, nurses and to be Members of Parliament. Instead, they are burdened by early pregnancies and unpaid work,” Murombedzi said.Every climate disaster resets families to survival mode, where girls are the first to be sacrificed.Murombedzi also urged Parliament to find ways to mitigate the climate change crisis as a way to save young girls from child marriages.“We must also recognise that climate change has become a threat multiplier that fuels child marriages in Zimbabwe and across Africa.“Climate change is not just an environmental crisis, it is a social and gendered crisis.“In seasons of drought when crops fail and livestock die, many families are pushed deeper into desperation, parents facing hunger and unable to pay school fees and are often seen marrying off their daughter as a coping mechanism to reduce household’s mouth to feed or to obtain a bride price for survival.“To break this cycle, we must act on several fronts.
We have to strengthen the enforcement of the law.“Unless we tackle the climate crisis and build resilience in our communities, through irrigation schemes, drought-resistant crops and social safety nets, our efforts to end child marriage will be undermined,” Murombedzi said.According to the government, last year over 3,400 girls were forced out of school as a result of early marriages and adolescent pregnancies.
By Thandiwe GarusaGIRLS in Zimbabwe’s marginalised communities are increasingly being married off as a desperate survival tactic by families grappling with the impact of climate change.Zimbabwe is one of the countries in Africa hardest hit by the climate change phenomenon, which has resulted in hunger, poverty and displacement.Speaking during a recent parliamentary session, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Member of Parliament for Mashonaland West Mutsa Murombedzi said some of these vulnerable girls are being married off for food.“Recently in Mutoko, a bright Form 2 pupil dropped out of school to marry a man twice her age, because the parents could no longer pay school fees.“The same situation was in Gokwe where a 13-year-old was removed from school after Grade 7 results came out. She was married off for groceries and a few blankets.“These girls wanted to be teachers, nurses and to be Members of Parliament. Instead, they are burdened by early pregnancies and unpaid work,” Murombedzi said.Every climate disaster resets families to survival mode, where girls are the first to be sacrificed.Murombedzi also urged Parliament to find ways to mitigate the climate change crisis as a way to save young girls from child marriages.“We must also recognise that climate change has become a threat multiplier that fuels child marriages in Zimbabwe and across Africa.“Climate change is not just an environmental crisis, it is a social and gendered crisis.“In seasons of drought when crops fail and livestock die, many families are pushed deeper into desperation, parents facing hunger and unable to pay school fees and are often seen marrying off their daughter as a coping mechanism to reduce household’s mouth to feed or to obtain a bride price for survival.“To break this cycle, we must act on several fronts.
We have to strengthen the enforcement of the law.“Unless we tackle the climate crisis and build resilience in our communities, through irrigation schemes, drought-resistant crops and social safety nets, our efforts to end child marriage will be undermined,” Murombedzi said.According to the government, last year over 3,400 girls were forced out of school as a result of early marriages and adolescent pregnancies.
GIRLS in Zimbabwe’s marginalised communities are increasingly being married off as a desperate survival tactic by families grappling with the impact of climate change.
Zimbabwe is one of the countries in Africa hardest hit by the climate change phenomenon, which has resulted in hunger, poverty and displacement.
Speaking during a recent parliamentary session, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Member of Parliament for Mashonaland West Mutsa Murombedzi said some of these vulnerable girls are being married off for food.
“Recently in Mutoko, a bright Form 2 pupil dropped out of school to marry a man twice her age, because the parents could no longer pay school fees.
“The same situation was in Gokwe where a 13-year-old was removed from school after Grade 7 results came out. She was married off for groceries and a few blankets.
“These girls wanted to be teachers, nurses and to be Members of Parliament. Instead, they are burdened by early pregnancies and unpaid work,” Murombedzi said.
Every climate disaster resets families to survival mode, where girls are the first to be sacrificed.
Murombedzi also urged Parliament to find ways to mitigate the climate change crisis as a way to save young girls from child marriages.
“We must also recognise that climate change has become a threat multiplier that fuels child marriages in Zimbabwe and across Africa.
“Climate change is not just an environmental crisis, it is a social and gendered crisis.
“In seasons of drought when crops fail and livestock die, many families are pushed deeper into desperation, parents facing hunger and unable to pay school fees and are often seen marrying off their daughter as a coping mechanism to reduce household’s mouth to feed or to obtain a bride price for survival.
“To break this cycle, we must act on several fronts.
We have to strengthen the enforcement of the law.
“Unless we tackle the climate crisis and build resilience in our communities, through irrigation schemes, drought-resistant crops and social safety nets, our efforts to end child marriage will be undermined,” Murombedzi said.
Source: Newzimbabwe
