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Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
UNION for Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe (UDACIZA) which is a grouping of apostolic and Zionist churches has blamed the misinterpretation of the bible by some church leaders to perpetuate the abuse of women and children.

Child marriage is prevalent among apostolic sects who constitute approximately 1,2 million members.

UDACIZA programmes manager, Reverend Innocent Chitanda, said his organisation was working with the police’s victim friendly unit and the Ministry of Gender and Community Development to conscientise apostolic church leaders of harmful religious practices.

“As UDACIZA we are reacting to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey of 2010-11 which states that apostolic sects constitutes 33 percent of the population. However, among the 33 percent it was noted that there is a high rate of children who don’t go to school.

“We then carried out a research in Gokwe South, Binga, Mberengwa, Mbire and Rushinga and most of the participants acknowledged that there is rampant abuse in apostolic and Zionist churches which include child marriages,” he said.

Rev Chitanda said UDACIZA was now working on correcting such practices.

He said the organisation has engaged various partners who are educating church leaders on the dangers of child marriages and abuse of women.

“One of the causes of the problem is the misinterpretation of the bible. Most of the leaders have never been to a theology school so they use the bible as a tool to abuse and oppress women,” said Rev Chitanda.

UDACIZA and the Ministry of Gender and Community Development recently held a sensitisation meeting in Chireya in Gokwe South Province which was attended by more than 15 apostolic and Zionist sects leaders.

A 2011 study by the Research and Advocacy Unit entitled “Married too Soon — Child marriage in Zimbabwe” reported that 21 percent of children, mostly girls, are married before the age of 18.