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Remember the Mob
The Linaken community in Thaba-Cheka district has joined forces with UNFPA and other local authorities to combat child and forced marriage, a deep-rooted problem plaguing rural Lesotho.
This ancient practice, which is centuries old, forces many young girls into marriage, robbing them of their childhood and forcing them to take on adult responsibilities. While authorities around the world have condemned child marriage as a human rights violation, this harmful tradition persists, further marginalizing and exploiting young girls.
According to the 2016 census, a whopping 24 percent of girls in Lesotho are married before the age of 18. Authorities say child marriage is most common in rural areas, where cultural, religious and social norms remain entrenched.
Linaken Municipality Councillor Shao Sebeta spoke to reporters during a recent UNFPA visit to Quthing and Thaba-Tseka districts about the challenges child marriage poses to the community. Mr. Sebeta noted that several girls were married off in his village between 2018 and 2019, ranging from the youngest at 13 to the oldest at 14.
The villagers were alarmed by these cases and were working with various stakeholders to resolve the issue.
“Since then, the number of child marriages has decreased significantly thanks to our work with village health workers who have worked tirelessly to curb the practice,” said Mr Sebeta.
He added that they regularly gather young people to educate them on the consequences of child marriage, which often leads to domestic violence, sexual exploitation and increased risk of HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Sebetta also mentioned a case where a 22-year-old village man was arrested for marrying a 15-year-old girl after her parents reported the matter to the police. He said the incident served as a deterrent to others who were considering marrying underage girls.
The community’s efforts are supported by the Linaken Health Centre, which plays a vital role in raising awareness about the dangers of early and forced child marriage. The public awareness campaign aims to discourage the practice and educate parents and children about its harmful effects.
Mr Sebetta also expressed concern over the role of alcohol abuse in leading to child marriages, saying excessive drinking can lead to bad decisions.
Local activist Mathabo Mokhabi said they are working closely with the Linakeng Health Centre to reduce the rate of child marriages. She explained that they have been trained to identify and report child marriages, and usually require a birth certificate as proof of age.
“We have weekly meetings to discuss our efforts and progress in curbing child marriages,” Ms Mokabi said.
She said it was important to sensitize young people and parents about the disadvantages of child marriage, stressing that child marriage places a heavy burden on families when young mothers return home with children whom they are not ready to take care of.
Mpolokeng Ramone, a nurse assistant at Nakakeng Health Centre, added that they?yesEfforts to address child marriages“In their communities.”EraHe explained that early marriage often leads toeditSchool dropouts and unwanted pregnancies deprive girls of their fundamental rights to education and autonomy, leading to serious health risks, including higher maternal mortality and morbidity.
Ms. Ramon said they meet regularly with village health workers to monitor the situation and raise awareness about the impact of early marriages. She also mentioned that in cases of marriages due to pregnancy, parents often agree to raise the child until the young mother reaches marriageable age.
“While some parents still allow their children to get married at a young age, the situation has changed a lot over the years. Parents now have a better understanding of child marriage.s“And what measures they should take to address this issue, which will help reduce the incidence of child and forced marriages,” Ms Ramon said.
Violet Malesane, communications manager at the United Nations Population Fund, said child marriage is a violation of human rights.
“Despite laws prohibiting it, the practice remains widespread. One in five girls worldwide is married or in an informal relationship before the age of 18,” said Ms Malesane.
She added that in the least developed countries, nearly 36% of girls?yes“Married before the age of 18, accounting for 10%”yes?Marry before the age of 15.
“Child marriage not only threatens girls’ lives and health, it also limits their future prospects and often leads to teenage pregnancy, which increases the risk of complications during pregnancy or childbirth – the leading cause of death among older adolescent girls.
“UNFPA promotes policies, programmes and legislation to end child marriages“Support evidence-based investments that put girls at the centre and provide them with the information, skills and services they need to be healthy, educated and safe for a successful transition to adulthood. UNFPA is also committed to supporting the needs of married girls, particularly in family planning and maternal health,” she said.
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