President Emmerson Mnangagwa today expressed shock at the rampancy of child marriages in the country saying as leaders, they are not aware of most of the challenges facing women.
Mnangagwa made the remarks this during his interface with women dubbed #MeetingThePresident organised by the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe in Harare today.
“I have been exposed to issues of reality that happen and exist in our community which I believe most of us at the top may not be fully aware of, with regards to the issue of child marriages. When I was minister of Justice I criminalized any marriage conducted for any child below the age of 18,” said Mnangagwa.
He demanded that the Marriages Bill be tabled before parliament when the next sessions resumes, to address issues of child marriages which he said is a crime.
“I want this bill during the next session of parliament, I am informed that it is still happening that girls as young as 18 are being married off and that is a crime, It is reported that we have awareness programs across the country and women’s organizations included, to make our people aware that it is a crime and where it happens it must be reported and those found on the wrong side of the law to be prosecuted, we cannot allow this to happen at this age,” said Mnangagwa.
Speaking to 263Chat, Chairperson-Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga revealed that she had been charmed by Mnangagwa for his commitment to listen to women issues.
“I am quite happy with what happened today, most of it is very symbolic, the fact that he took his time to sit with us, I think that should speak to some change and some new direction that we are going. In most panels he said I did not know, I will go and find out, I will do something about it, certainly we will be going back to him though we wanted him to have time to look at the sanitary wear petition so we will be re-engaging,
“But he did respond clearly to the loan system, the quota system and 50/50, but for me it is the time that he took that is important than anything that you can hold on,” said Misihairabwi.
A student from the Women’s University in Africa raised concerns about the accessibility of loans due of the stringent requirements needed despite the economy being dominated by the informal sector.
In his response, Mnangagwa said he would deliberate on the issue with the responsible minister and see to it that stringent conditions are relaxed for the benefit of students.
“We thought you were assisted as students by giving you loans but I wasn’t aware that these loans had these conditions you have mentioned which are stringent and deny many student these laws, I take note of what you are saying and will address it with the minister responsible so we can remove some of the constraints,” assured the President.
Chairperson of Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, Pamela Mhlanga hailed Mnangagwa for coming through to discuss issues affecting women in the country.
