Girls in Zimbabwe are married early. By age 19, when most children are expected to be starting their university or tertiary education, over half of the girls in the country are already in marriage.
This reduces their chances of realizing their full potential in life as well as exposing them to other vulnerabilities like sexual and gender-based violence and poverty.
The prevailing socio-economic challenges, and the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods has exposed further existing vulnerabilities and caused further deepening inequalities, particularly gender inequality and spiking sexual and gender-based violence.
We know the enormity of the challenge of child marriages. So let us take a hard look at what needs to change and what we are doing to end this scourge.
Keep up the good work. It is time child marriage and violence end. Thanks.