Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today took a swipe at religious practices that undermine the rights of children, saying those practices have no right in the nation.

Speaking during the launch of the High–Level Political Compact on Ending Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices, President Mnangagwa said, “Our democratic system has given space to citizens to affiliate with cultural and religious groupings of their choice. 

However, repugnant practices such as child marriages, which undermine the rights of our children, have no place in our country and should stop forthwith.  Similarly, all religious and cultural practices must remain within the confines of what is legal and constitutional.”

President Mnangagwa further complimented Zimbabwe for being the first country to develop and operationalize a Multi-Sectorial Compact dedicated toward addressing Gender Based Violence (GBV), at a time Covid-19 had fuelled an increase in GBV.

“The fact that Zimbabwe is the first country to develop and operationalize a Multi-Sectorial Compact dedicated towards addressing Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices is a show of the political will of my Administration to end this retrogressive vice.

“In launching his High Level Political Compact, my Government remains committed to fully pursue its goal which is: To Eradicate all Forms of GBV and Harmful practices by 2030,” he said.

The President took time to thank the First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa and her Angel of Hope Foundation for addressing child marriages, social immorality, drug abuse and poverty which are contributors towards GBV.  Recently, the First Lady took to radio on a platform called “Chat na Momz on Star FM” where she meets and chats with the youths to address issues that affect them.

The President thanked the European Union and the United Nations for complementing Government efforts towards addressing GBV in Zimbabwe.