Surviving early marriage: Lived experiences of young women in Zimbabwe's Makonde District

Abstract

The paper ascertained the lived experiences of young women who survived early marriage in Zimbabwe`s Makonde District. A rapid review and qualitative research approach frames this study. Researchers used methodological triangulation that promoted the use of several data collection methods to increase trustworthiness of the data. Atlas Ti version 22 was used to manage and support the qualitative thematic data analysis of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The findings of this study revealed that young women who survived early marriage in Zimbabwe experienced abused life, poor living conditions, and growth and development vulnerabilities. The authors concluded that on-going support is highly recommended until young women who survived early child marriage have shown high levels of independence in their socioeconomic, mental, psychological, and financial wellbeing. It is therefore recommended that extensive research is needed in the areas of practice, teaching, literature, philosophy, and provision of welfare support and empowerment programs for young women who survived child marriages across the country. Thus, creating an enabling environment to change stereotypes that diminish efforts put forward by government in striving gender-inclusive human development opportunities.