The social, economic, political and cultural factors hindering anti-child marriage initiatives in Zimbabwean urban areas

Abstract

Child marriages have been a rising phenomenon which has attracted a lot of legislative and program attention. Government and non-governmental agencies have all directed a lot of resources towards the process of eradicating child marriages. On a global scale, child marriages were incorporated as part of the sustainable development goals through SDG 4 and 10 which are focused on gender equality and reducing inequalities respectively. Regardless of this regional, local and global attention child marriages have continued unabated. It is on this background that the study was conceptualised. The study aimed to explore the challenges that are faced in the implementation of anti-child marriage initiatives in high-density suburbs so as to strengthen future implementation and enforcement efforts. The study utilised a qualitative research methodology. A case study design was chosen, with Harare selected as the case being studied. A total of 12 research participants were selected as the study sample. The sample was drawn from officials from governmental and non-governmental organisations that are responsible for the implementation of anti-child marriage initiatives. Ethical clearance for this study was obtained. The findings of the study were presented thematically. The challenges were deemed to be a rare combination of internal and external factors such as underreporting of child marriage cases, faulty social perceptions of the phenomenon, lack of resources, poverty and economic crisis prevalent in most high-density suburbs. Stakeholders recommended that availing of more resources, bridging of legislative gaps and robust awareness campaigns would greatly strengthen implementation and enforcement efforts. The main recommendation from the study is for there to be a unified or coordinated approach to anti-child marriage initiatives by government and non-governmental actors.

Current and previous volumes are available at: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net

HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE
Bhala C. E. (2025). The social, economic, political and cultural factors hindering anti-child marriage initiatives in Zimbabwean urban areas, African Journal of Social Work 15(1), 75-83. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v15i1.8