The alleged culture of forcing girl children aged between eleven and thirteen into marriage (abduction) took a centre stage during this year’s launch of 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
This annual campaign takes place from 25 November to 10 December to create maximum awareness in all forms of abuse that are subjected to women and children. This year’s provincial launch was held in KwaCele location, Flagstaff in the OR Tambo district municipality.
KwaCele location was identified as area where the abduction of girl children is rife, hence the decision to host the launch in that area. Provincial executive committee led by Premier Noxolo Kiviet descended to the area in an effort to put a stop in this abusive practice. A crowd of over 2 500 people, predominantly from Flagstaff and Lusikisiki, were present during this event.
Residents of KwaCele were given a platform to voice their reason for practicing this abusive culture. Common on their reasons was that children above the age of fifteen are old. “They (over fifteens) get pregnant loosely, which disqualifies them from being our wives,” one resident said. They claim that marrying these children at their toddler age is a compassionate decision. “We are rescuing them (children) from having children out of marriage”, another resident said.
Premier Kiviet lashed out at the perpetrators when making her key delivery note. “You are abusing their right to freedom of choice, because you are the ones who chose who is going to be their husbands, not them. I want to tell you that there is no wife in a kid, a kid is a kid,” Premier Kiviet said.
Premier Kiviet also urged police to take action where anyone is found to be acting against the law.
“Police, do your job when necessary. I want all the perpetrators to be brought into book,” She urged.
Eleven girl children have been rescued from this practice and perpetrators arrested since the story broke out late in 2008. The rescued children are kept at Palmerton Secure Care Centre in Lusikisiki, a centre funded by the Department of Social Development.
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
3 December 2009
Source: Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.socdev.ecprov.gov.za/)
