An Assessment on the Efficacy of Child Marriage Mitigation Strategies in Rural Communities of Zimbabwe: A Case Study of Chiweshe Ward 10 in Muzarabani District
- Author
- Chareka, Blessing
- Title
- An Assessment on the Efficacy of Child Marriage Mitigation Strategies in Rural Communities of Zimbabwe: A Case Study of Chiweshe Ward 10 in Muzarabani District
- Abstract
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ABSTRACT
With an increase rate in child marriage in Zimbabwe, the study sought to assess on the efficacy of child marriage mitigation strategies being implemented in rural communities. The objectives of the study were to identify strategies being implemented to mitigate child marriage, their effectiveness and ways of improving the effectiveness of these strategies in Chiweshe ward 10. The qualitative research method was adopted in the study and it informed its data collection and analysis process. Focus group discussions and key informants interviews were therefore used to gain insight into the experiences of participants. Through the use of purposive and convenient sampling, 20 participants comprising of young mothers who visited St Albert’s Mission Hospital waiting mothers’ shelter and stakeholders from St Albert’s CHBC, Childline, DSD, VFU and a community leader in Chiweshe ward 10 were selected. The findings revealed key strategies being implemented to mitigate child marriage which are community sensitisation, educational assistance and laws and policies. The study found that community sensitisation, empowerment of girls and educational assistance are the most effective strategies while laws and policies as well as youth initiatives are less effective. An analysis of key informant interviews and focus group discussion shows that strengthening existing systems, stakeholder collaboration as well as training and equipping more community volunteers can improve the effectiveness of mitigation strategies on child marriage. It was therefore recommended that for child marriage to mitigate the government should ensure that laws and policies on child marriage are in place and strictly enforced, the government and development partners should work to eradicate barriers to education for girls and increase access to education for children especially girls in rural areas and the government and development partners should intensify efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of child marriage, both among families and the wider community, girls need to be empowered through education, leadership training, mentorship and life skills training. - Date
- 2023
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Child marriages
- Early child marriages
- Rural communities
- Supervisor
- Chidyausiku, W.
- Item sets
- Department of Social Work
