Ending child marriage : a critical appraisal of Zimbabwe’s Marriages Act 1 of 2022 [Chapter 5:15]

Abstract

This study critically appraises Zimbabwe’s Marriages Act 1 of 2022 [Chapter 5:15], focusing on its role in combating child marriage. The study examines the legal, socio-economic, and cultural factors contributing to child marriage. It assesses the alignment of the Marriages Act with international human rights standards such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Using the landmark Mudzuru case as a foundation, this research highlights how the Act addresses child marriage under statutory and customary law. It also explores challenges in implementation, including legal pluralism and socio-cultural resistance. The role of NGOs, law enforcement, and community-based organisations in supporting legal reforms and providing assistance to survivors of child marriage is analysed to determine their impact on eradicating this harmful practice. The study recommends improving enforcement mechanisms, addressing socio-economic drivers, and strengthening the legal framework to protect girls' rights in Zimbabwe.