The Lived Experiences of Survivors of Child Marriage: The Case of Epworth, A Harare Municipality in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Child marriage is socio-economic distress for young women and girls globally, most importantly in developing nations. Child marriage is a violation of human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (article 16). Even though studies had been conducted on child marriages in Zimbabwe, very little has been done in relation to lived experiences of survivors of child marriages. The study’s aim was to explore the survivors’ experiences of child marriages in Zimbabwe. The study focused on Epworth, a Harare Municipality. It employed a qualitative research approach with thirty-six (36) participants taking part. Data was collected using semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The themes identified were causes of child marriage, challenges faced by child marriage survivors and coping mechanisms used by survivors to survive. The findings revealed that poverty and unemployment were the main causes of child marriage. As a result of these, young girls get married to secure a better life. Depression and humiliation were challenges faced by child marriage survivors. Street vending, attending churches and prayers were coping strategies used by child marriage survivors to survive. The paper concluded that child marriage is a significant socio-economic concern for young girls. It is recommended that income-generating community-based projects such as social support networks should be made available to survivors of child marriage to access basic opportunities. Keywords: Child, Child Marriage, Survivor, Lived Experience, The African Girl Child.