BULAWAYO, 12 Oct (Southern Eye-Live) - The review of Zimbabwe's National Action Plan (NAP) on Ending Child Marriage (2019-2021) is now out, with stakeholders calling for sustained investment and stronger enforcement to end the scourge.
In a statement, Plan International Zimbabwe said it supported the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development in the review as a member of the Technical Working Group on Ending Child Marriage.
"The Review of Zimbabwe's National Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage (2019-2021) is now out. As a member of the Technical Working Group on Ending Child Marriage, Plan International Zimbabwe supported the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development in the review of the National Action Plan," the organisation said.
The review assessed progress against the NAP's intended outcomes, documented lessons learnt and identified priority areas to inform the design of its successor.
According to Plan International Zimbabwe, while the NAP contributed to significant legal and policy gains including the enactment of the Marriages Act (2022), gaps remain in financing, enforcement, monitoring and accountability.
"The review highlights continued gaps in financing, enforcement, monitoring and accountability. It also identified emerging and increasingly complex drivers of child marriage, including climate shocks, digital risks, substance abuse and household economic vulnerability," the organisation said.
The organisation said the findings underscore the need for sustained government investment, stronger multisectoral coordination, meaningful youth participation and targeted interventions for girls most at risk.
"The findings reinforce the importance of sustained government investment, stronger multisectoral coordination, meaningful youth participation and targeted interventions for girls most at risk," Plan International Zimbabwe said.
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It said as stakeholders look towards the successor NAP, the evidence presents an opportunity to strengthen the collective response and ensure girls' voices shape solutions.
"Ending child marriage requires more than policy commitments. It requires sustained investment, accountability and action at every level," Plan International added.
Zimbabwe continues to battle child marriage, particularly in rural communities where poverty, cultural norms and limited access to education expose girls to early unions.
