Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies: Home

Abstract:
The study sought to establish the prevalence of harmful cultural practices which disadvantage women in general and the girl child in particular. The research was carried out in Huchu, a remote place in Gokwe South District. The Feminist Sociological theory informed the research. A descriptive survey and ethnography were used as research designs. It was established that despite all the sensitisation programmes that seem to have enveloped the social, political and economic realms, intended goals are far from being realised as harmful cultural practices still abound. These cultural practices include marrying off young girls to affluent persons, chiramu/sibale, chimutsamapfihwa, incest and intra-denominational marriages. Also significant was the impact of patriarchy on the vulnerability of the girl child. Incest was also practiced though in a distorted way between fathers-in-law and daughters-in-law. The most prevalent harmful cultural practice was noted to be intra-denominational marriage of young girls especially brothers-in-law marrying sisters-in-law. Stakeholders are urged to empower the girl child to have freedom of choice despite all religious or cultural pressures. The conservatism of communities has to be broken into. There is need for a functional and binding legal framework that protects the vulnerable girl child. In addition, the law enforcement agencies and civic groups with related scope of operations have to decentralise to these remote areas. Media coverage also has to be spruced up in these areas to broaden the coverage base. Quite significant therefore, is the fact that this research empowers all the stake holders to redirect their efforts to address the plight of the girl child in a social system where abuse is sanctioned by society. This paper is particularly significant in that it urges policy makers and the community at large to begin to walk their talk.

Keywords: harmful cultural practices, intra-denominational marriages, child abuse, girl child vulnerability, polygamy, gender disparities, patriarchy, lobola

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