Forced Marriage and Escape: A Young Woman’s Story

Forced Marriage and Escape: A Young Woman’s Story

Panashe Makonese, a 22-year-old woman from Zimbabwe, shares her harrowing journey of being forced into marriage at 16 and her subsequent escape to South Africa.

After losing her parents at a young age, Panashe was raised by her uncle, a devout member of an apostolic church. She was forced to drop out of school in Form 2, as her uncle believed that girls should not pursue higher education.

“After the death of my parents at a tender age I grew up under the guardianship of my uncle(elder brother to her late father).He is a devout member of an apostolic church which I became part of.

At 16, Panashe’s uncle coerced her into marrying a much older man from the church, who already had six wives. Panashe desperately sought help from her aunt, but she concurred with her uncle’s decision.

“At only 16 years of age ,my uncle said I was ripe for marriage and unashamedly pointed to my breasts as a sign I had matured

“He told me I had to marry one of the older man in my church as the seventh wife,”Makonese narrated.

Panashe endured a tumultuous marriage, facing physical and emotional abuse. She was forced to do menial jobs to support herself and her husband, who would collect her earnings. During her pregnancy, Panashe’s co-wives mocked her, claiming she was lazy and would not conceive.

Tragically, in August 2021 Panashe lost her baby due to complications during a home delivery, as the apostolic church prohibits members from accessing medical facilities. Her husband and uncle blamed her for the infant’s death.

Panashe eventually fled to South Africa in July 2024, seeking refuge and a chance to pursue her education. However, her uncle and husband tracked her down, brutally beating her and threatening to kill her if she tried to escape again.

Panashe’s story highlights the plight of many young women in Zimbabwe who are forced into marriage and face abuse. In 2022, the Marriages Act was enacted, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years. However, more needs to be done to protect vulnerable women and girls from forced marriages and abuse.

Her courage in sharing her story serves as a testament to the resilience of women who have faced unimaginable hardships. Her story also underscores the importance of education and empowerment for young women, enabling them to break free from cycles of abuse and build better lives for themselves.