Fairness Moyana
THE government has been challenged to raise more awareness particularly in marginalised rural areas on the new Freedom of Information Act as it can play a major role in the fight to end early marriages through access to information.
The new law which came into effect last year empowers citizens and media stakeholders to access information at both public and private institutions.
The legislation has been hailed as an enabler in ensuring the promotion of human rights.
Hwange rural based adolescent and gender advocacy organisation Buwalo Matilikilo Trust (BMT) said access to information was critical in ending early marriages in the district.
“There is a need for a lot of awareness raising so that communities and citizens know that there is now such an Act that enables them to have access to any information they require within the limits of the law. Awareness raising is also required on the benefits of accessing information and how you can use this to benefit you legally as a parent, child, or stakeholder,” BMT director, Anna Mandizha-Ncube.
“There is a lot of advocacy and sensitization that needs to happen in campaigning for communities to know the rights that are enshrined in this Act and know when and where they can use this information.
“This will come in very handy in also assisting even the police to carry out investigations as well as traditional leaders in how they exercise their mandate within the communities they serve. They should also know when they will be committing a crime by withholding information which would go a long way in solving a case or ensuring that justice is served,” said Ncube.
The organisation has been advocating for access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and running a campaign to end gender based violence in the district.
However, Ncube said the new law would assist in enhancing stakeholders’ efforts in ending early marriages which were prevalent in Hwange district.
“I believe that the Act will enhance different stakeholder’s efforts in playing a critical role in supporting government efforts to end early marriages.
“What this Act does is to deal with what was previously known as privy information that’s not for public consumption but once we have issues where red flags are raised it now becomes easier for stakeholders to demand information that either verifies authenticity of issues of action with regards to child marriages.”
Ncube said it was unfortunate that in Hwange district there was a disturbing low reporting rate of early marriage cases which are rampant.
It has become the norm that girls who are married off at an early age suffer a range of rights abuse such education and health among others
