In a bold statement against child marriage, dozens of teenage girls in Shamva, Zimbabwe, took to the football pitch, sending a powerful message to their community. The tournament, organized by Goals and Girls, was more than just a game – it was a declaration of courage and a celebration of girls’ strength and determination.
According to UNICEF, 34% of girls in Zimbabwe are married before the age of 18, with the figure believed to be even higher in Shamva. Child marriage often leads to a range of hardships, including domestic violence, life-threatening complications during childbirth, and limited economic opportunities. However, in Shamva, a quiet revolution is unfolding, with traditional leaders taking a stand against the practice.
Chief Bushu, speaking on behalf of Shamva’s traditional leaders, emphasized that they will not tolerate child marriages and perpetrators will be brought to book. “We want these girls in school, not in marriage,” he said. This shift in attitude is significant, as cultural norms had previously kept elders silent or complicit in the practice.
For the girls participating in the tournament, football is about empowerment and learning that their choices matter. 15-year-old Melody, who played barefoot, said, “When I’m on the field, I feel powerful. I want to finish school and become a teacher. I don’t want to get married early like my cousin.” The tournament was supported by organizations such as MTC EDUCATE A Girl INC, which provides scholarships and mentorship to girls in rural areas.
The role of traditional leaders has been crucial in protecting girls from child marriage. Shamva chiefs are now actively working to ensure that every girl in their villages has the chance to go to school, play, and dream. As Chief Bushu noted, “This is the beginning of a new culture. Marriage will not take her childhood away.”
The progress in Shamva is thanks in part to organizations like the Rozaria Memorial Trust, which works with chiefs and communities to ensure that Zimbabwe’s 2016 ban on child marriage becomes a reality in the lives of girls. For girls like 16-year-old Lovejoy, who was named player of the tournament, this belief is everything – it keeps them walking to school each day, saying “no” to older men, and lacing up to play.
As the tournament came to a close, the girls danced and laughed, their faces glowing with pride. For one day, at least, they were not potential brides or statistics – they were footballers, fighters, and free. The event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empowering girls and protecting them from child marriage, and the significant role that traditional leaders can play in driving this change.
