At least 28 underage girls in West District in Unguja have been forced into marriage during the past two years, drawing criticism from women groups and activists in the Isles.
Some parents claimed that forcing girls into early marriage aimed at reducing pregnancy outside wedlock, but women groups and community leaders argue that allowing girls under 17 to get married “is morally and socially unacceptable.”
Recent research findings in Bumbwisudi, Dole, Kianga, Mwanakwerekwe, Pangawe and Melinne areas showed that most victims in underage marriages were students who were consequently forced out of school.
Statistically, underage marriages seem to be dropping due to increasing awareness and the chance for pregnant students now to go back to schools after giving birth.
However, community leaders and children’s rights activists in the villages confirm that the few reported cases of underage marriages take place secretly, particularly when the parents, the girl student and the man agree.
The District Commissioner for West District, Mr Hassan Takrima, says the community needs to understand the effects of underage and forced marriage, which includes health complications during pregnancy and labour, lack of the ability to work, continued dependence and and failure to attend school.
Forced marriages are linked to ignorance, weak laws, greed, economic hardship or poverty, lack of interest in education among some children, divorce and lack of cooperation between father and mother and early involvement in love affairs, among youths.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
