Stats SA Reports 207 Child Marriages Recorded in South Africa During 2021

According to recent data from Statistics South Africa, the country witnessed 207 child marriages in 2021, with 188 brides. Per SAnews, the disclosure was part of the ongoing African Union Stakeholder Engagement Mission on Child Marriages and Harmful Practices, led by the African Union Special Rapporteur. The mission aims to assess South Africa’s progress in combatting child marriages and harmful cultural practices against children.

The Director of Education and Child Statistics at Stats SA, Dr Seble Worku, shared that among the 207 recorded child marriages, 19 involved grooms while the rest were brides. Of these, 37 were registered as civil marriages, and 19 were carried out through customary practices. The mission is to examine children’s rights and evaluate policies and strategies to end harmful practices.

This visit aligns with the country’s upcoming Women’s Month program, focusing on women’s empowerment. The AU Commission team engages with various government departments, human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and children to understand the progress, challenges, and best practices related to children’s rights and ending violence against them.

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The AU Commission launched a campaign to end child marriages in Africa in 2014, and more than 30 member states have responded by intensifying efforts to halt child marriage through programs and interventions. The monitoring mission aims to:

• understand South Africa’s child protection system, 
• assess its effectiveness in addressing various forms of violence against children, and 
• identify areas for improvement.

The Special Rapporteur will compile a detailed progress report with observations and recommendations for the country within six months. This effort is part of a broader series of visits by the AU Commission across different African regions to foster cross-country learning and successful strategies in combating harmful practices against children.

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Picture: Facebook / Stop Child Marriage

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