By Percival Kushure
Community leaders in Ward 26, Shamva, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening efforts to prevent child marriages and teenage pregnancies, following a sensitisation programme on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH).
The engagement brought together Chief Mutumba, village heads and key community stakeholders in a collaborative initiative being implemented by the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Zimbabwe.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to address child marriages and teenage pregnancies in the province, which remain significant challenges requiring concerted action from families, traditional leaders, communities, government and other stakeholders.
Empowering Communities to Protect Young People
The ASRH programme seeks to educate, empower and guide young people to make informed and responsible decisions concerning their sexual and reproductive health.
During the sensitisation, discussions were deliberately tailored to address challenges affecting communities in Mashonaland Central Province. Key issues included child marriages, teenage pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, social media use and other factors that can expose young people to risky behaviours and vulnerability.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for community leaders to openly discuss some of the challenges they encounter in efforts to prevent child marriages.
Child Marriages Under the Cover of Darkness
One of the major issues emerging from the discussions was the disturbing practice of some parents allegedly conducting child marriage ceremonies clandestinely and under the cover of darkness, making such cases difficult to identify and prevent.
The revelation highlighted the need for increased vigilance at community level, particularly among traditional leaders who are often the first point of contact when family and community issues arise.
Following the discussions, community leaders unanimously agreed to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child marriage to the police and relevant authorities.
The commitment reinforces the importance of strong community structures in identifying, reporting and preventing practices that threaten the wellbeing, education and future prospects of children.
Chief Mutumba Calls for Intensified ASRH Programmes
Chief Mutumba encouraged stakeholders to intensify ASRH programmes within communities, emphasising the important role that community leadership can play in creating an environment where young people can access accurate information and guidance.
He further called on community leaders to actively support ASRH initiatives and work together with implementing organisations and other stakeholders to address challenges affecting young people.
The Chief’s call underscores the importance of moving beyond awareness-raising to sustained community action, with traditional leaders, parents, schools, young people and service providers working together.
A Collective Responsibility
The Ward 26 engagement demonstrated that the fight against child marriages and teenage pregnancies requires collective responsibility and sustained community action.
By equipping community leaders with knowledge on ASRH and encouraging them to identify and report cases of child marriage, the programme is strengthening the community’s ability to protect young people and promote healthier futures.
The collaboration between ZNFPC and SOS Children’s Villages Zimbabwe continues to provide an important platform for bringing ASRH information closer to communities while addressing the social and behavioural factors that place adolescents at risk.
