59.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1999, which has been
ratified by all countries except the United States of America and
Somalia, has a number of interesting provisions. Article 19 stipulates
the right to protection from all forms of physical or mental violence,
injury or abuse, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse
while in the care of parents. Article 24 restates the right to health and
to access to health services and to be protected from harmful
traditional practices. Article 36 restates the right to protection from all
form of exploitation prejudicial to any aspect of the child's welfare.
60.
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on
the Rights on Women in Africa to which Zimbabwe is also a State
party is even more specific.
49
Article 6: Marriage states Parties shall ensure that women and men
enjoy equal rights and are regarded as equal partners in marriage. They
shall enact appropriate national legislative measures to guarantee that:
a. No marriage shall take place without the free and full consent
of both parties;
b. The minimum age of marriage for women shall be 18 years.
61.
I bring the above instruments to this Honourable Court's attention so
that the Court should not waver or hesitate in granting the Order that
I seek.
16
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