Implications of Female Teenage Marriages on Human Rights Violation in Mt Darwin District of Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the implications of female teenage marriages on human rights violation in Mt Darwin District of Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methodology design with a QUANT ‒ QUAL criterion was adopted for the study. Quantitative results were cross-examined with findings from qualitative data, which explored alternative explanations for violation of Married Female Teenagers (MFTs)’ human rights. Respondents were 192 MFTs who were randomly sampled from the target population while participants were 17 MFTs and five (5) Key Informants who were purposively sampled from the target population. Respondents provided the required information through a closed-ended questionnaire while participants and Key Informants were engaged in face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. Data from Focus Group Discussions were obtained through unstructured questionnaire. Quantitative research data were analysed using the SPSS 21.0 while Content Thematic Analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. The study revealed that teenage marriages violated MFTs’ rights to; pursue education, enjoy good health, engage in income generating projects, be protected from sexual and verbal abuse and make independent decisions while in marriage. Husbands hindered the right to education for MFTs. Right to engage in income generating projects was hindered by lack of capital and refusal by some husbands and in-laws. The rights to make independent decisions were thwarted by restrictions imposed by husbands on MFTs’ movement, choice, association and belonging. The Government and its development partners were recommended to reach out to male teenagers and men with sexuality and gender-based violence (GBV) programmes.