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Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Reporter
APOSTOLIC sects are one of the main drivers of child marriages in Zimbabwe where 31 percent of girls marry before they reach the age of 18 years. About 15 percent of these girls are married before they reach 15 years.

While most early marriages can be classified as statutory rape, most parents often opt for negotiated settlements and in some cases accept bride price (lobola).

Experts say Apostolic sects collectively have approximately 1,2 million members countrywide and their growth may increase child marriages.

According to minutes of a meeting held last Friday by officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the National Family Planning Council, it was generally accepted that child marriages are prevalent among the Apostolic sects.

“Despite that their practice has attracted the attention of national leaders, the issue of child marriages is still of grave concern. They don’t question certain harmful practices in the church such as the practice of not taking children to health institutions,” said the officials.

The religious grouping was also accused of limiting the education of the girl child so that as soon as the girls reach puberty, they are married off.

“The lack of education often disempowers the girls. The cross-generational nature of marriages in the church is also problematic because young girls can’t stand up for themselves in the marriage to demand safe sex and thus they become vulnerable to HIV and Aids, sexually transmitted infections and maternal mortality.”

The minutes quoted an expert from Safeguard Young People saying laws to protect children from early marriages were not being enforced.

“The new Constitution caters for children’s rights but the laws are not being enforced’’.

The organisation said while consensual sex with underage girls constitutes statutory rape, the same was not being enforced on individuals that married girls below the age of consent.

“With regards the issues of child marriages in Zimbabwe police officers often turn a blind eye and this is probably why cases are on the increase,” reads part of the minutes.

According to a 2012 United Nations Population Fund report, Zimbabwe is one of 41 countries with alarming and unacceptable child marriage rates.

According to the report, preventing child marriages would significantly help to reduce early pregnancy and the associated maternal deaths or disability.

This will also reduce the girl’s risk to contracting HIV/Aids.

Officials from different child rights organisations blamed the high number of child marriages on poverty, traditional beliefs and impunity.