Gendered cultural norms reinforced by matriarchal leaders, that perpetuate child marriages in Chiredzi District, Xangaan Community

Through the lenses of socialist feminism and the qualitative paradigm, the study investigated the salient gendered social norms that perpetuate girl-child marriages in the Save part of Chiredzi district. A sample of 11 matriarchal leaders and 3 key informants were interviewed to elicit data, which were then analysed using the thematic analysis methodology. The findings recognized the role of socialization in passing cultural norms from one generation to another through matriarchal leaders in the families. These matriarchs were also responsible for facilitating the Khomba rites, an initiation process that prepares girls for marriage at an early age, leading to child marriage. Again, the community had clear gender roles that confined married women to domestic duties, thereby trivializing the acquisition of education. As a result, girls dropped out of school to marry as their educational aspirations were sacrificed. The study recommends a multi-stakeholder-oriented programming to address the cultural and systemic thinking patterns that have worked as a breeding ground for the violations of girls through child marriages. This will ensure a paradigm shift towards embracing cultural rights that honor and safeguard girls’ rights.