29 Nov 2015

Foreign ministers from the 53 Commonwealth member states have unanimously agreed to end child, early and forced marriages in their respective countries.

The ministers meetings preceded the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that was held here from Nov 27-29.

In an interview on the sidelines of the foreign ministers’ meeting on Thursday November 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said countries have to come up with robust legal and policy framework that would prevent child, early and forced marriages and eventually ending them.

Dr Venson-Moitoi also said ending child, early and forced marriages would require, commitment, long-term as well as sustainable efforts by countries with the ultimate change taking place within societies, complemented by collective support at national, regional and international levels.

Again, she said there would be need for adequate resources to support effective implementation of strategies.

She added that efforts to end child, early and forced marriages should not be isolated from broader development efforts but should also play an integral part in achieving development goals around the world.

Meanwhile, it is reported that every year, approximately 14 million girls are married as children across countries, cultures, religions and ethnicities while seven million resided in Commonwealth countries.

Some elements had been identified as some of the underlying causes of child, early and forced marriages which include poverty, insecurity and conflict. 

Child, early and forced marriages reportedly denied girls their rights, choice and participation and undermined numerous development priorities.

They also hinder progress towards a more equal, healthy and prosperous world.

Further, child, early and forced marriages are said to represent a threat not only to the agency and well-being of children and young women as individuals, but had serious and marked consequences within societies and communities.

Nonetheless, Minister Venson-Moitoi said such was not the case with Botswana due to Christian influence and education while cases of such marriages were minimal and varied within communities. ENDS