Zimbabwe, Malawi exchange notes on curbing child marriages

By Nhau Mangirazi

A Zimbabwe delegation was in Malawi this week exchanging notes on curbing child marriages in a move aimed at empowering female politicians and women in general.

The tour was held in Zomba, a five-hour drive from Lilongwe where they conducted a transformative feminist leadership learning and exchange visit in Malawi from 23- 27 October 2022.

It was facilitated by the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE) in collaboration with the Women’s Coalition in Zimbabwe and Oxfam in Zimbabwe.

WALPE executive director, Sitabile Dewa, said the meeting ‘created an opportunity for the delegation to meet and share their political participation experience to tap into the best practices.

‘‘This was based on the WOMAN manifesto that was developed by the women of Malawi and has to date had increased in the number of women in elected and appointed positions,’’ said Dewa.

Women’s Parliamentary Caucus chairperson, Hon Goodluck Kwaramba was the guest of honor at a 50:50 campaign in the district of Zomba.

She applauded the unity that exists amongst the women of Malawi and how the Women’s Caucus of Malawi is advocating for the equal participation of women in decision-making processes.

She however said more needs to be done in curbing early child marriages that she noted as evil.

‘‘The early child marriages are rooted more in traditional beliefs and norms. The number of early child marriages is astounding. The girl child is the future leader. I would like to give respect to Malawi female politicians who took the bull by its horns in fighting child marriages by empowering them in education. This is a learning process for Zimbabwe. The learning exchange has been fruitful in giving us best practices in ending child marriages,’’ said Hon Kwaramba.

Zimbabwe recently passed the Child Marriages bill that outlawed child marriages through criminalization including those that take part in the process.

‘‘Child marriage is an evil act that leaders have to fight to protect our girl child and enable them to reach their maximum potential in the developing world. Early child marriage is a life-changing reality for many of the world’s girls. Some as young as 8 years or 9 years are forced to trade their childhoods for a life that can be defined by isolation violence and illness,’’ said Kwaramba who is Hurungwe Proportional Representative in Parliament.

She applauded the creative nexus created between women’s leadership in ending child marriages in Malawi through the campaigns and the distribution of educational materials such as bags, lamps, and stationery.

‘‘Further, monitoring groups of women are given bicycles and motorcycles to ensure that girls go to school and this is a positive development in communities,’’ said Hon Kwaramba.

The delegation managed to meet the Parliament of Malawi members, and community members of Ku Chewa and Zomba Kalosa.

Hon Kwaramba was motivated and eager to share with the rest of the honorable members of Parliament the best practices they learned as they prepare for a possible return visit of the Malawi delegation.

The delegation comprised Hon Kwaramba, vice chairperson Hon Sibusisiwe Bhudha Masara, Hon Susan Matsunga, Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chief executive officer Virginia Muwanigwa, and Parliament delegate Farai Chidongo among others.