The UN has denounced the practice of forced marriage of minors in Zimbabwe and the impunity that surrounds it, after the death in childbirth of a 14-year-old girl in a religious temple in the east of its territory.
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This tragedy has sparked a widespread movement of anger on social networks and among children's advocates.
A petition, addressed to the police chief, has gathered nearly 58,000 signatures since it was put into circulation on Thursday.
Police have announced the opening of an investigation into the teenager's death, which occurred last month.
In a statement dated Saturday, the UN representation in Zimbabwe “
notes with deep concern and strongly condemns the circumstances that led to the premature death of 14-year-old Memory Machaya (...) who died giving birth in a temple of an apostolic sect
”.
This is "
a new sad case
" of "
sexual abuse of minors, including early forced marriages continue in Zimbabwe
", where one in three girls will be married before 18 years "
, continues the UN representation which denounces a situation
"unacceptable".
This figure, taken from official statistics, is underestimated, says Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, president of the Rozaria Memorial Trust, a Zimbabwean NGO combating the practice of early marriage.
"
There has been a surge with (the pandemic of) Covid-19,
" she told AFP, the government reported a "
sharp increase (in the number) of teenage pregnancies and marriages early, the Covid-19 exacerbated the situation
”.
Zimbabwe's Parity Commission, a public policeman, said on Sunday it had opened an investigation into the case of the deceased teenager and "
various reported cases of child sexual abuse, including rape, disguised as early marriages
."