UNFPA: Rural community in KwaZulu-Natal stands up against forced and early marriages

A dry, yet scenic drive on a mixture of tar and gravel roads brought UNFPA team to Ukhahlamba, in uThukela District, KwaZulu-Natal Province. The purpose of the visit was to participate in a dialogue on forced and early marriages (known as Ukuthwala) in the area. The dialogue, led by KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council in partnership with UNFPA, was also attended by the local leadership and representatives from the provincial departments of social development and of education.

The event was held under the auspices of UNFPA-UNICEF joint programme titled, “Empowering Women and Girls to Realize their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in South Africa”. It aimed to engage religious and local actors increasing access to community information and to SRHR, HIV and gender-based violence prevention services, as committed by South Africa at the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action and the Nairobi Commitments. 

The dialogue helped to unearth the myths of forced and early marriages. Overall, participants agreed that forced and early marriages rob young girls their education, careers and better prospects of life. They also agreed that the practice was a crime that had nothing to do with culture. Several women shared their experiences of being forced into marriages at very tender ages. They also shared stories of young girls who had recently escaped this practice, while others were not so lucky.

The community members appreciated the open discussion on the increased need for safety for women and young girls in the area. The women expressed their weariness of living in fear of being raped or having their young girls abducted and forced into marriage. They agreed to stand together to bring about changes in their communities and also welcomed the assistance offered by local and provincial governments and UNFPA in empowering women and men to become change advocates. Traditional members of the royal household expressed support to address violence against women and young girls in the area and encouraged the women to speak out and report abuses.

As an immediate follow up, the province’s Department of Social Development, the uThukela Department of Health and the Christian Council made arrangements with the local leadership in the area to connect women and girls to nearby health and psychosocial services and support.