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Ivan Zhakata recently in Gokwe
Goverment does not condone early child marriages and will continue to fight such abuse, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Cde Nyasha Chikwinya said at the weekend. Cde Chikwinya said she would continue to support First Lady Dr Amai Mugabe”s call to stop child marriages

Addressing Zanu-PF supporters in Gokwe at a function organised by Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena on Saturday, Cde Chikwinya said she was saddened by rampant cases of child abuse in Gokwe.

She likened child marriages to murder saying drastic measures were needed to curb it. “We talked to First Lady Dr Amai Mugabe and we agreed that enough is enough,” she said. “There is no child who can get married at a tender age. This has become rampant and we say Stop It!’ “We have made sure that it won’t happen again and as women, we should stand for each other.

Cde Chikwinya denounced abuse of women and encouraged them to be self-reliant. She said Government was prepared to fund women’s businesses. Cde Chikwinya said Government would soon introduce short agri-courses to empower women. Speaking at the same event, Cde Wadyajena lauded the First Lady and Cde Chikwinya for their thrust to end child marriages.He said efforts would be made to ensure that young girls and women are protected in the constituency.

Cde Wadyajena said the minister’s visit to his constituency showed that Government had faith in the people of Gokwe.“She (Cde Chikwinya) is the First Lady’s eyes and ears and today I have come to introduce her to you,” he said. “I thank you for supporting President Mugabe and I know he is safe in Nembudziya.”

Cdes Chikwinya and Wadyajena donated food worth over $5 000 to the constituency.