Gweru Stakeholders Intensify Fight Against Teenage Pregnancies and Child Marriages

Gweru — A united front of government agencies, law enforcement officers, civil society organisations, educators and community leaders, led by the Girl Child Empowerment Organisation Zimbabwe (GCEOZ), has called for urgent and sustained action to end teenage pregnancies, child marriages and school dropouts, warning that protecting and empowering the girl child is essential to Zimbabwe's social and economic development.

The call was made during a multi-stakeholder awareness campaign on teenage pregnancies and school dropouts organised by the Girl Child Empowerment Organisation Zimbabwe.

The event brought together learners from various schools, representatives of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), development partners, teachers and community stakeholders to discuss practical solutions to challenges affecting girls.

Delivering the keynote address, Board Chairman of the Girl Child Empowerment Organisation Zimbabwe, Apostle Kenneth Muzokura, said the campaign symbolised a collective refusal to accept a future in which girls continue to lose educational opportunities because of early pregnancies and harmful social practices.

"When a girl falls pregnant in school or drops out, we do not just lose a learner. We lose a doctor, an engineer, a teacher and a leader. We lose potential," Muzokura said.

He challenged communities to stop treating teenage pregnancy as a problem for girls alone.

"Teenage pregnancy and school dropouts are not girls' problems. They are community problems caused by poverty, lack of information, peer pressure, abuse and sometimes silence from the very adults who should protect them," he said 

Muzokura said the organisation remains committed to educating girls about their rights, empowering them through mentorship and life skills, engaging parents and communities, and advocating for policies that keep girls in school.

"You are not statistics. You are the future board members, chief executive officers, professionals and ministers of this country. Staying in school is your power," he said.

He urged all stakeholders to transform the awareness campaign into a sustained movement.

"Let this campaign be more than a one-day event. Let it be the beginning of a movement where every girl is protected, informed and given a fair chance to complete her education and pursue her dreams. No girl must be left behind," Muzokura said.

Guest of Honour and Speak One Voice International (SOV) official, Jane Munyamani, echoed the call saying empowering girls should extend beyond the classroom into every aspect of their lives.

Gweru students from different schools sit attentively in a school hall during a Girl Child Empowerment Organisation Zimbabwe event focused on education and leadership. (Picture by Kephas Kugedera)

"Girl child empowerment is about giving girls opportunities in every facet of life. When we invest in their education, health, leadership, confidence and economic empowerment, we are investing in stronger families, stronger communities and a stronger Zimbabwe," Munyamani said.

She urged communities to remove barriers that continue to hinder girls' progress.

"Every girl deserves to dream, to lead and to succeed. Let us work together to remove every barrier that stands in the way of our girls' future," she said.

Representing the Zimbabwe Republic Police Public Relations Office, one Constable Goromondo, encouraged girls to believe in their abilities, saying women have repeatedly demonstrated that they can excel when given equal opportunities.

"Given an opportunity, girls can excel to greater heights. Empowered women can lead in every facet of life, whether in business, politics, education, law enforcement or any other profession," she said.

Constable Goromondo urged learners to remain disciplined, focused and determined to achieve their dreams through education.

Addressing the gathering, another Constable, only identified as Komboni said the police regard many teenage pregnancy cases as criminal matters because they frequently involve statutory rape, child sexual abuse and unlawful child marriages.

"Law enforcement agencies strongly castigate teenage pregnancy because the vast majority of these cases stem from statutory rape, child sexual abuse and unlawful child marriages," he said.

He said police treat teenage pregnancy as both a child protection and criminal justice issue.

"When police departments conduct awareness campaigns, we treat teenage pregnancy not simply as a health crisis but as a serious legal offence where adult perpetrators must be aggressively investigated and prosecuted," Komboni said.

He urged learners to protect themselves and report abuse.

"Value your bodies. Your future is precious, and nobody has the right to abuse or exploit you," he said.

From the Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit, Constable Muringani said child marriage remains one of the greatest threats facing girls despite constitutional protections outlawing the practice.

"Early child marriage in Zimbabwe is primarily driven by systemic poverty, harmful religious and cultural practices, gender inequality and limited access to education. These challenges continue to rob young girls of their childhood, education and future," she said.

Constable Muringani said severe poverty often compels vulnerable families to marry off daughters to reduce household burdens or receive bride price (lobola), while some religious and traditional beliefs continue to normalise child marriage.

She added that entrenched gender inequality, limited access to education, family breakdown, parental migration, food insecurity and school dropouts further expose girls to exploitation and early marriage.

"Every girl has a constitutional right to protection, education and development. Communities must reject child marriage, report offenders and support girls to remain in school," she said.

Zimbabwe Republic Police Public Relations Officer Constable Goromondo,  addresses participants at the Girl Child Empowerment Organisation Zimbabwe event in Gweru, emphasizing safety, leadership, and empowerment for young women.

Constable Muringani urged parents, guardians, religious leaders and communities to uphold children's rights and work closely with law enforcement agencies to eliminate child marriage.

The awareness campaign concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening child protection systems, promoting girls' education and ensuring vulnerable children have access to guidance, counselling and support services.