A CHILDREN’S rights advocate group has raised concern over an increase in child pregnancies calling on families to support affected young girls and ensure they continue with their school.
Child pregnancies have been linked to parental migration which undermine family structures, leaving children alone or under guardians thereby increasing children’s vulnerability to risky sexual behaviours and abuse.
A government survey on teen pregnancies revealed that the economic meltdown triggered a sharp increase in child and teenage pregnancies countrywide.
The survey was conducted by the Health and Child Care ministry in partnership with Unicef and Unesco.
In an interview, Matabeleland Council for the Welfare of the Child co-ordinator Phumulani Mpofu told Southern Eye that cases of minor-to-minor pregnancy were becoming a concern.
“While morally and socially unacceptable, our primary focus shifts from assigning blame to addressing the situation. On a moral scale, this act is deemed unacceptable and goes against societal norms and values.
“Ideally, individuals should mature emotionally and financially before becoming parents. However, when such situations arise, we cannot apportion blame. As minors, they cannot be treated as adults and the law requires reporting such cases to the police,” he said.
Mpofu said the courts decided whether to proceed with prosecution or opt for pretrial, considering their juvenile status.
“Typically, these cases are diverted to pretrial programmes where the minors receive assistance. I refrain from making moral judgments, but the act itself is not acceptable.
“This issue affects many young people, often due to inadequate sexual reproductive health education — a challenge facing numerous societies.
“Parents cannot make decisions that contravene the law, which prohibits marriage below 18 years. Instead, the focus should be on supporting the girl child through pregnancy, postnatal care and ensuring her return to school. Both families should collaborate to assist these children without pressuring them into marriage.”
Zimbabwe Gender Commission southern region manager Dalubuhle Sibanda said matters concerning minors were generally handled by the Department of Social Development or Social Welfare under the Children’s Protection Act, except in cases involving sexual assault or rape committed by the minor.
“Firstly we are an institution with an oversight role on gender issues. The commission forms part of the GBV referral pathway, issues of minors are best dealt with by the Department of Social Development or Social Welfare in terms of the Children's Protection Act unless the incident involves sexual assault or rape from the minor (perpetrator) but if its consensual sex from both minors it becomes difficult. Social Development will render support,” he said.