Tougher action needed to end child marriage in KZN
The KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety Department is calling on all South Africans to take a stand against forced marriages.
Yesterday, the department led a march with traditional and religious leaders in Ingwe Local Municipality in southern KZN.
The practise is said to be still common in the area.
The department says no underage girl should be abducted and forced into marriage, before reaching the legal age of consent.
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The Salvation Army agrees and says, as the 16 Days of No Violence against Women and Children campaign ended yesterday, the subject of ukuthwala needs urgent attention.
Spokesperson Major Corin Holmes says no one must hide behind culture if culture is abusive.
''I think it's a disgrace that a culture can use a practice and by so doing undermine the rights of a child, take away the dignity of a young girl, rob her of her childhood and her innocence just because it's culture,'' she said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)