FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE INCREASE IN EARLY CHILD MARRIAGES: A CASE OF GURUVE DISTRCT BY HAPPYMORE MUDAMBO

The study sought to explore factors contributing towards the increase in early child marriages in Guruve District with a view to proffer possible intervention to curb the menace brought by early marriages. The study was guided by three objectives which were to identify social factors contributing to early marriages, examine cultural practices that contribute towards the phenomenon and evaluate the legal framework in place to mitigate the problem. A review of literature from numerous scholars who examined the broad subject of early marriages was utilised as the basis of this study. The knowledge gathered was integrated and synthesised to link various concepts with the main dominant themes of the study. The mixed method approach was adopted, and the descriptive survey design employed for the study. The target population comprised of 179 survivors of child marriages where a sample of 38 subjects was extracted from using a simple random sampling technique. Data was elicited through questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data elicited through questionnaires was presented in tabular, pie charts and bar graphs formats while qualitative data solicited from the key informants who incorporated four (4) Victim Friendly Unit Police Officers, two (2) Chiefs and two (2) officials from the Ministry of Youth, Gender and Welfare from Guruve District using a non-probabilistic sampling namely purposive sampling was transcribed in textual form and coded into themes falling into the same categories. The findings of the study revealed that the major factors perpetuating child marriages in Guruve District were poverty, religion, sexual orientation, inheritance of right of marriage and weak marriage laws. In order to curb the menace brought by child marriages, the study postulated that there was need to conduct awareness campaigns, education and training of girl child and community, prosecution of all child marriages offenders, imposition of deterrent sentences against child marriages offenders and realignment and synchronization of marriage laws to comply with the dictates of the Constitution