Zimbabwe Taekwondo Girl, "Let's Fight Child Marriage"... Spreading Taekwondo to Children

17-year-old Nasiraishe Maricha, Teaching Taekwondo in Slums for 4 Years
"We Must Fight Child Marriage Through Taekwondo"

Nasiraishe Maricha (17), who teaches 'Taekwondo' to children in poor villages in Zimbabwe.
[Image source=AP News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The story of a teenage girl teaching 'Taekwondo' to children in slums in Zimbabwe, Africa, where child marriage is a serious issue, has come to light.

According to the AP News on the 5th (local time), Nasiraise Maricha (17) from Zimbabwe has been conducting Taekwondo classes in a slum located 15 km from the capital Harare since 2018. She said, "I decided to start the classes after seeing my friends leave school because of marriage," adding, "(Child marriage) is a perception we must fight against. It is difficult but a necessary task."

The classes are held in poor conditions such as dusty school backyards. Nevertheless, AP News reported that children line up here to learn Taekwondo techniques like kicking and punching. Maricha emphasized, "Taekwondo is attractive to girls whether married or single," and "Through Taekwondo, I want young girls and mothers to join hands and fight against (child) marriage."

The classes also include education pointing out the problems of child marriage. They explain how marriage constrains minors' lives through verbal and physical abuse, domestic sexual violence, complications from pregnancy, poverty, and more. Parents of the child students also participate in these classes, most of whom are Maricha's former school friends. Maricha added, "We are not ready to get married," and "This is a safe space where girls can share their thoughts with each other."

Child marriage is a major social issue in Southern African countries facing severe economic difficulties. Zimbabwe revised its laws in 2016 to legally prohibit marriage before the age of 18, but many underage girls still suffer from forced marriages. In April last year, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimated that about 30% of girls worldwide are married before turning 18.

According to AP News, the recent spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has increased the burden of child marriage on impoverished families. Some bride families use the money paid by the groom at marriage as a 'means of livelihood.' A local civic group criticized, "Some religious sects encourage 10-year-old girls to marry much older men under the pretext of spiritual guidance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.