Child marriage in Zimbabwe is common. As of 2019, approximately 1 in 3 girls in Zimbabwe are married before age 18.
Early pregnancy can pose a health risk. In July 2021, a 15-year-old girl, who was married to a 26-year-old man, died giving birth inside a church.
2016 key indicators of child marriage in Zimbabwe
| Indicator | Gender/current age | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage or union before age 15 | Women aged 15–49 years Men aged 15–49 years Men aged 15–54 years |
5.0% 0.3% 0.3% |
| Marriage or union before age of 18 | Women aged 20–49 years Men aged 20–49 years Men aged 20–54 years |
32.8% 3.7% 3.9% |
| Young people age 15–19 years currently married or in union | Women Men |
24.5% 1.7% |
| In a polygynous union | Women aged 15–49 years Men aged 15–49 years Men aged 15–54 years |
10.1% 3.8% 4.1% |
| Spousal age difference | Young women married or in union and whose spouse is 10 or more years older: among women aged 15–19 years among women aged 20-24 years |
19.9% 17.5% |
References
- "Child marriage around the world: ZIMBABWE", Girls Not Brides
- "Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 Survey Findings Report" (PDF). Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency. November 2019. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-01-24. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- Chingono, Nyasha (11 October 2021). "Death of a 15-year-old girl while giving birth exposes dark practice of child marriage in Zimbabwe". CNN. Archived from the original on 2021-10-12. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- "ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE IN ZIMBABWE: GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS" (PDF), Because I am a Girl Foundation, Girls Not Brides, 2016
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