By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE – Amnesty International Zimbabwe has urged the government to fully implement the Child Protection Act to curb the rising cases of child marriages and teenage pregnancies, which continue to rob girls of their education and future.
Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child held at Moffat Hall in Mutare yesterday, Amnesty International Zimbabwe Campaigns Coordinator Roselina Muzerengi said girls in rural areas remain the most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
The event, themed “Girls in Conflict,” brought together more than 75 girls from Nyahundi Secondary School in Marange and Gwirindindi, who watched the premiere of Amnesty International’s film, “At the End of the Rainbow.” The film sparked open discussions on the daily struggles faced by the girl child, including child marriages, gender-based violence, and lack of access to sexual reproductive health services.
While addressing the children, Muzerengi delivered an inspiring message, urging communities to shift their perception of girls and recognize their full potential.
“When you see a girl child, you do not see a wife — you see a doctor, a president, a legal adviser, a pilot, or an engineer,” said Muzerengi. “Every girl has a dream, and it is our duty as a society to protect that dream from being shattered by early marriages, sexual abuse, or discrimination.”
Her statement was met with applause from the students, many of whom expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak openly about the challenges they face. Muzerengi emphasized that the future of the nation depends on the empowerment and education of girls, adding that child marriages not only destroy young lives but also hinder national development.
“Protecting the girl child is not just a moral duty; it is essential for the empowerment of future leaders,” she said.
Muzerengi called for the full implementation of the Child Protection Act, signed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year, to ensure that perpetrators of child abuse and forced marriages are held accountable.
Amnesty International Zimbabwe continues to conduct research and community outreach programs to support girl child protection. Among its major studies are “Lost Without Knowledge,” which examines adolescent access to sexual reproductive health services, and “I Never Thought I Could Heal from This,” which focuses on women living with obstetric fistula.
The organization also runs human rights education campaigns and engages traditional leaders, parents, and young people to raise awareness about sexual reproductive health rights and the dangers of early marriages.
Muzerengi concluded by saying that protecting the girl child requires collaboration between the government, civic organizations, and communities.
“When girls are protected, educated, and empowered, the entire nation benefits. The girl child is not a burden — she is the future.”
Laws and regulations are there , but they lack implementation. Advocacy and lobbying is needed so that Laws are being implemented as they are written in the constitution.