Apostolic Young Woman’s Plight Sparks Outrage Among Local NGOs

A recent story highlighting the plight of a young woman forced into marriage with an older man in her church has sparked widespread condemnation from local organizations.

In the article, Panashe Makonese recounted how she was compelled to flee her marriage after enduring prolonged abuse. She has since rescued her 11-year-old sister, who was also being forced to marry her aunt’s husband.

“In our church, there is a practice where an aunt can give her brother’s daughter to her husband as a co-wife. She becomes a ‘bondwe,’ assisting the aunt, who is often elderly and unable to sexually satisfy her husband,” Panashe explained.

“When I learned that my aunt was arranging for my sister to undergo the same ordeal, I had to come out of hiding to rescue her,” she added.

The young girl has since been placed in a safe house operated by a prominent local women’s rights organization, where she is receiving counseling.

Commenting on Panashe’s and her sister’s experiences, Young Women Empowerment Trust director Tafadzwa Mazhetese expressed deep concern over religious practices that promote the abuse of women and girls.

“It is disheartening that archaic religious practices continue to perpetuate the abuse of young girls and women. In some cases, girls are denied education and instead forced into marriage, as seen in Panashe’s case. She aspired to further her education, but that opportunity was taken away because of her church’s doctrines,” Mazhetese said.

Unity Dube, programs manager at the Platform for Girls’ Development, called for legal intervention to address Panashe’s suffering at the hands of her family and husband.

“When I read the story, it broke my heart. Law enforcement must ensure Panashe’s protection, and her uncle must face justice for coercing her into marriage at such a young age,” Dube said.

Meanwhile, human rights organization Giraffe Zimbabwe condemned the ruling party, Zanu PF, for allegedly turning a blind eye to such abuses for political gain.

“Panashe’s story is just the tip of the iceberg. Zimbabwe has recorded numerous cases of early marriages and shocking abuses of young women, particularly within white-garment churches. However, the deafening silence from the Zanu PF-led government is concerning, as they often visit these church shrines to solicit political support. We remain committed to rescuing and empowering young women like Panashe,” Giraffe Zimbabwe stated in a press release.

Zimbabwe is among the Southern African countries with the highest rates of child marriages, many of which stem from religious traditions and poverty-driven arrangements