Child marriages campaign rejected by government.

Child marriages campaign rejected by government.

By Letwin Mazarura

Government has opposed a High Court application by child rights activists seeking to compel the Johane Marange Apostolic Church to launch a campaign against child marriages.

Legal Resource Foundation, Sharon Moffat and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe stated in their application that they wanted the Marange Apostolic Church and the Apostolic Churches Council to display anti-child marriage messages at every place of worship or shrine for 19 consecutive weeks.

This came after public outcry over an increase in child marriages and sexual abuse in the apostolic sects after a 14-year-old girl, Anna Machaya, died in July after giving birth at a Johane Marange shrine in Bocha, Mutare.

However , the government opposed the application describing it as unnecessary as the government have already taken necessary steps to curb child marriages.

“Defendants plead that all the legislative and other steps required at law have been taken to stop child marriages and enforcement of the same is being taken as occasions require,” the government said.

“Accordingly, defendants submit that the relief sought here against either some or all of them is misplaced, unnecessary and incompetent and should be denied by this honourable court.”

The child rights activists want the apostolic sector to display a message stating that the marrying off, and marrying of young girls is not part of their sects’ doctrines, and hence should not take place in the name of religion.