The First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa has raised concern over a high number of young mothers she met during her two visits to Chimanimani and Chipinge in the past week.

The first lady visited Chipinge hospital on Saturday and Ngangu Township on Tuesday and on both occasions, she raised alarm on the issue, which she said needed urgent intervention.

Speaking at Ngangu, Amai Mnangagwa said she would visit the province again soon for a discussion with the women to find out why young girls were getting married early and having children.

“I am not happy with what I am seeing here ladies. I see a lot of young mothers, why is that so? Let us help each other, I do not want to see such a scenario where young girls have babies, it is not proper,” she said. “The children are saying they are being forced, is that true? After we are done with this mission, I will come back here so that we sit down and talk about this because rape is a serious crime. Men cannot rape young children and go on with life as if everything is normal.”

On Saturday, the First Lady challenged her African counterparts to join in the fight to end child marriages in Southern Africa.
Amai Mnangagwa raised the concern after meeting a number of girls who had given birth and others who were waiting to deliver at Chipinge District hospital.State media