Cry of the African Child
Mmegi Editor | Wednesday June 17, 2015 15:14
Between 176 and 700 of them lost their lives on that day and in the subsequent two-weeks it took for the apartheid government to forcefully snuffle out the protests.
Blood had been spilt, young, innocent lives had been extinguished in an instant and the world was horrified. As the image of a dying Hector Pieterson became seared in the global conscience, a spirit even greater than the tragedy began to take root.
Today, that spirit of hope and renewal is carried through the “June 16: Day of the African Child” commemorations, where African states recommit themselves to uplifting the quality of life for the continent’s children.
This year, the theme is acutely relevant to the new age challenges our children face: “25 Years after the Adoption of the African Children’s Charter: Accelerating our Collective Efforts to End Child Marriage in Africa”.
Even as the fight to give all of Africa’s children appropriate and relevant education continues, a battle which should long have been won wages on across the continent.
Each year in Africa, at least 15 million girls are married off before the age of 18, endangering their personal development and wellbeing.
These young brides have limited access to contraceptives and reproductive health services, are exposed to early and frequent sexual relations and to repeated pregnancies and childbirth before they are physically and emotionally mature.
Child marriages are key in the spread of HIV/AIDS being institutions seeking to somehow dignify intergenerational sex, a leading driver of the disease in Africa.
Studies show that child brides have limited access to education, are often living in poverty and are usually victims of gender-based violence.
While Botswana may seem unaffected by this human rights violation, the 2011 census report indicates that at least one percent of women were married or in union by the age of 18. This is despite the availability of legislation specifically prohibiting this.
In addition, the Botswana Family Health Survey of 2007 found pregnancy rates of 7.9 percent among teenagers and judging by reports around the country, these rates have increased since then, throwing young girls into under-education and untold wretchedness.
As we mark June 16, we call upon policymakers, law enforcement, traditional leaders and parents to strengthen their vigilance in the protection of our daughters from early marriages. The Marriage Act and Children’s Act both exist to prevent child marriages, but the data indicates that there is a level of complicity somewhere to solemnise these unions.
Youths have made a lot of ground since the dark days of 1976 and we need to do a great deal more to fulfil the obligations laid upon us by Hector Pieterson and his gallant comrades.
Today’s thought
“I must set my foot to the best of my ability upon this devilish custom of child marriage”.
- Swami Vivekananda