Hopolang Mokhopi 

THE community of Linakeng in Thaba-Tseka district has joined forces with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other local authorities to combat the scourge of child and forced marriages, a deep-rooted issue plaguing rural Lesotho. 

This age-old practice is a centuries-old tradition that has seen many young girls married off, often depriving them of their childhood and forcing them into adult responsibilities. Despite global authorities condemning child marriage as a violation of human rights, this harmful tradition persists, further marginalising and exploiting young girls. 

According to the 2016 census, an alarming 24 percent of girls in Lesotho marry before the age of 18. Authorities have noted that child marriages are most prevalent in rural areas, where cultural, religious, and social norms remain strong. 

Linakeng councillor, Shao Sebeta, spoke to journalists during a recent UNFPA tour of Quthing and Thaba-Tseka districts, highlighting the challenges posed by child marriages in the community. Mr Sebeta noted that between 2018 and 2019, several girls in their village, as young as 13 and 14 years old, were married off. 

Alarmed by these cases, the villagers have collaborated with various stakeholders to address the issue. 

“Since then, there has been a significant reduction in the number of child marriages due to our collaboration with village health workers, who have worked tirelessly to curb this practice,” Mr Sebeta said. 

He added?they regularly gather the youth to educate them about the consequences of child marriage, which often leads to domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and an increased risk of HIV/AIDS. 

Mr Sebeta also cited a case where a 22-year-old man from the village was arrested for marrying a 15-year-old girl after the girl’s parents reported the matter to the police. This incident, he said, served as a deterrent to others contemplating marrying underage girls. 

The community’s efforts have been bolstered by the Linakeng Health Centre, which has played a crucial role in raising awareness about the dangers of early and forced child marriages. The public awareness campaigns aim to discourage the practice and educate both parents and children about its harmful effects. 

Mr Sebeta also expressed concern about the role of alcohol abuse in contributing to child marriages, saying excessive drinking led to poor decision-making. 

Mathabo Mokhabi, a local activist, said they are working closely with Linakeng Health Centre to reduce the rate of child marriages. She explained that they have been trained to identify and report child marriages, often requiring birth certificates as proof of age. 

“Every week, we hold meetings to discuss our efforts and progress in curbing child marriages,” Ms Mokhabi said. 

She said it was important to educate both youths and parents about the disadvantages of child marriages, highlighting the burden it places on families when young mothers return home with children they are ill-prepared to care for. 

Linakeng Health Centre nurse assistant, Mpolokeng Ramone, added they?were?working hard to address the issue of child marriages?in their community.?She explained that early marriages often resulted?in school dropouts and unintended pregnancies, depriving girls of their fundamental rights to education and autonomy. This leads to significant health risks, including higher rates of maternal deaths and diseases. 

Ms Ramone said they regularly meet with village health workers to monitor the situation and raise awareness about the impact of early child marriages. She also mentioned that in cases where marriages occur due to pregnancy, parents often agree to raise the child until the young mothers are of an appropriate age to marry. 

“While some parents still allow their children to marry at a young age, a lot has changed over the years. Parents now have a better understanding of child marriages?and the measures they should take to address this issue, which has helped reduce the incidence of child and forced marriages,” Ms Ramone said. 

The UNFPA Communication Manager, Violet Maraisane, said child marriage was a human rights violation. 

“Despite laws against it, the practice remains widespread. Globally, one in every five girls is married or in an informal union before reaching age 18,” Ms Maraisane said. 

She added that in the least developed countries, nearly 36 percent of girls?were?married before age 18, and 10 percent?were?married before age 15. 

“Child marriage not only threatens the lives and health of girls but also limits their future prospects, often leading to pregnancy during adolescence, which increases the risk of complications during pregnancy or childbirth — the leading cause of death among older adolescent girls. 

“UNFPA promotes policies, programs, and legislation designed to end child marriages, supporting evidence-based, girl-centred investments that empower girls with the information, skills, and services they need to be healthy, educated, and safe, enabling them to make a successful transition to adulthood. UNFPA also works to support the needs of married girls, particularly in family planning and maternal health,” she said.