Let children be, please

PARENTS who give up their daughters of school-going age to be married are destroying their children’s lives.

There is no justification for the practice of child marriage be it poverty, loss of virginity or culture.

Yesterday we reported on the findings of research by World Vision South Africa that revealed the alarming practice of ukuthwala (arranged marriage) involving minors in a village in KwaZulu- Natal.

In the 21st century it can no longer be said that a young girl ’ s future is limited to finding a husband to take care of her. Neither can it be argued that a girl who has lost her virginity has no hope of living a fulfilling life.

Moreover the assertion is backward that girls are valuable only for their potential to bring wealth to their fathers in the form of lobolo.

It is an established fact that by educating all children, including girl children, society improves their prospects of a prosperous life – materially and socially.

Educating girls also contributes to the general wellbeing of other members of society.

By being allowed to concentrate fully on their schooling, young girls are exposed to the myriad opportunities available to them.

They learn that they have a mind and by applying themselves they can achieve greater things than their present circumstances let on.

The constitution recognises and respects the rights of cultural communities and of individuals to practise their cultures but those rights are not absolute.

By violating the rights of children to education and dignity, the practice of child marriage and ukuthwala are contrary to the constitution.

These practices are in contravention of the Children ’ s Act. Parents, as well as the older men who violate their daughters ’ rights to be children, must face the full might of the law.