By Zivanai Dhewa

People have welcomed the move by Government to expedite the alignment of the law to the 2016 constitutional judgement which struck off section 22(1) of the marriages act in favour of section 78 of the country’s supreme law.

Previously, girls could get married at the age of 16, while boys could marry at 18, but on 20 January 2016, the court ruled that section 22 of the Marriages Act was unconstitutional and therefore “no person, girl or boy should be married before the age of 18.”

One netizen identified as Budget Impact @childbudgeting commended the Government for taking the definite steps toward protecting the girl child against child marriages.

“A step in the right direction but legislation alone will not be enough, more need to be done in terms of culture and religion.  Children themselves will need to be empowered as well as communities,” said Impact.

Tonderai Samanyanga said, “If this sails through parliament, it could be a masterpiece for our country.”

Bruce Nyoni added that “I feel this law has been long overdue.”

Government has further advised that illegitimate child marriages that have taken place on cultural or religious grounds are unconstitutional.

This new law is a huge step by Government in ensuring gender equality as early child marriages affected mainly the girl child, who would have to be given up on their education and other tertiary activities to stay at home.