21 Jun 2015

The deputy representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Mr Scott Whoolery, says the effects of child marriage can be very devastating to girls.

Speaking during the commemoration of the Day of the African Child in Lobatse on June 16, Mr Whoolery said early child marriage could lead to early child bearing with significantly higher maternal mortality and morbidity rates, coupled with higher infant mortality rates.

He added that child marriages also had adverse effects on the girl’s education as it could essentially put an end to a girl’s education. He said a child bride’s lack of education and lack of peers limits her support system because, without skills, mobility and connections, the girl is constrained in her ability to overcome poverty for herself, children and family.

Moreover, Mr Whoolery said young girls married to older men with more sexual experience are at greater risk of HIV infection. He said the lack of education, health, physical safety and autonomy deprives girls of their basic human rights and also acts as a barrier to social and economic development. He added that child marriage undermines the achievement of each of the eight Millennium Development Goals and global targets to reduce poverty worldwide.

Mr Whoolery continued that UNICEF appreciates the effort made by the government of Botswana in repealing the Marriage Act and domesticating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child through the enactment of the 2009 Children’s Act.

However, Mr Whoolery said the burden is not for government alone, as ending child marriage should be a collective responsibility for all. He said community mobilisation can be effective in initiating behaviour change and discouraging harmful practices.

Earlier on in her welcome remarks, Kgosi Itumeleng Setumo of Peleng said it has been a well known fact for a long time that having sexual relations with a child under the age of 16 years constitutes defilement.

He however conceded that child marriages do exist.Kgosi Setumo said child marriage is practised by some Batswana as part of their culture.For his part, Lobatse Children’s Consultative Forum chairperson Tshepiso Masilonyane, who is a student at Lobatse Secondary School a word of motivation to his fellow student, urging them to help end child marriage. 

He pleaded with other students not to laugh when they see their peers involved in this matter, urging them to rather report this to their respective guidance and counselling teachers.

Masilonyane said the public should not turn a blind eye at child marriage as this robs children of their chance of fulfilling their dreams and being the leaders of tomorrow.

“Bring back our girls so that they can also enjoy their childhood. Let us stand as children and fight against child marriage and not rely only on government,” said Masilonyane. ENDS