END CHILD MARRIAGES: We are the future

06 Sep, 2015 - 00:09 0 Views
END CHILD MARRIAGES: We are the future Junior Vice President Tatenda Glenrose Maramba

The Sunday Mail

The issue of Early Child Marriages has been of serious concern in every Junior Parliament session. As ambassadors of children the junior Parliamentarians are making big steps to fight against Child Marriages.

Junior Vice President Tatenda Glenrose Maramba

Junior Vice President Tatenda Glenrose Maramba

The Sunday Mail Bridge Reporter Bryan Zhawi caught up with the country’s Junior Vice President Tatenda Glenrose Maramba in an interview which she opened up on how they are advocating for children as junior a Parliament and the steps they are making to stop Early Child Marriages.

BZ: Firstly, congratulations for being elected as the Junior Vice President of Republic of Zimbabwe.

TM: Thank you very much. It was an honour indeed. Never thought it would happen to me.

BZ: Who is Tatenda Glenrose Maramba?

TM: Well she is a 17 year old girl who wouldn’t have made it in this world without the help from her mother. She is a girl with vision to someday make a difference. She is God’s heaven sent .Currently she’s doing Mathematics, Physics , Geography and Accounting at Mutendi High school.

BZ: As Junior Parliament you are doing outreaches to restrain Early Child marriages.

How successful are they?

TM: Well they are successful but really it depends with the child. Whether they appreciate or need our help or not.

BZ: Apart from awareness campaigns are there any other steps you are making to curb Child Marriages.

TM: Yes .We are doing fundraising for the children’s fees. The best way to solve these issues is to educate our children.

BZ: What’s your view on this ongoing debate about condom distribution in high schools?

TM: Once they begin doing that they are promoting sexual activities amongst students but at the same time they don’t want to avoid that. They are simply contradicting themselves by introducing such an absurd policy. Basically I say condoms should not be distributed in High schools.

BZ: Where do you think attempt to reduce the rate of Child Marriages falter.

TM: Our parents agreeing to it, forcing us and not letting us explore our talents. Like honourable Majasi said “our parents need to invest in us”. We also have the children to blame because most of us are consenting at young ages and then our parents send us back to the people we consented with.

We sometimes leave our parents with no choice because of the harsh backgrounds we have.

BZ: As a female Junior Vice President, what do you say to the ‘‘Girl Child’’ ending up in these marriages.

TM: Well girls you really have to be free to express yourselves and be able to learn. There are so many people willing to help once you talk to them. Talk to councillors and Members of Parliament around.

They will assist you. You should know that no matter how far away you are or even if I don’t know you, I got you. I will fight for you as a sister.

BZ: “Accelerating our collective efforts to end child marriages” is your mission statement as this year’s Junior Parliament. How far have you gone now to fulfil that mission?

TM: I have been educating the girls, holding a fundraiser at my school. These fundraisers are meant to assist some children for school fees.

BZ: Junior Councillors are also advocating for children and you are all battling against Child marriages. Tell us have you ever merged to undertake the same project as counterparts?

TM: We are yet to host the Miss Masvegas in Masvingo. This will be our first project in conjunction with Junior Councillors.

BZ: In this year’s Junior Parliament debate session, technology was highly blamed as the major cause of Child Marriages. Personally, how do you take this notion?

TM: Well it’s not necessarily technology as there are some children who cannot access it. The rate of Child marriages in rural areas is higher than that in the urban areas where technology is in abundance. So it does not mean a thing really.

BZ: How are you helping out children from rural areas, since recently you have held awareness campaigns in towns and cities only?

TM: We did an outreach in Mount Darwin. I have also educated kids in the rural areas surrounding my school through books. I also issued out some books which we were given during our parliament camp. I did this representing the whole board of Junior Parliament.

BZ: Any last words to all children concerning Child marriages?

TM: My fellows, we are the future of Zimbabwe lets shine now and make it bright.

 

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