DISTRICT COMMISSIONER IN COAST REGION HAS URGED PARENTS TO ABANDON THE CULTURE OF MARRYING OFF SCHOOLGIRLS.

They said the culture resulted in many young women dropping out of school out, which later led to increased poverty among communities.

Kisarawe District Commissioner Happyness Saneda made the call this week when marking the International Day of the Girl Child.

Speaking on behalf of the DC, District Officer John Chacha said the tradition to marry off their young daughters, most of whom were already in school, was suppressive to girl children.

“Let us all encourage our daughters to go to school so that they can fulfill their dreams,” he said.

Thmed, ’Girls take over,’ this years’ International Day of the Girl Child message was based on the responsibility of every person to participate in the discouragement of suppressive tradition against the girl child.

Plan International Kisarawe Manager Grace Semwaiko called on the girl children to realize the impact of early marriage on their future dreams.

Pupils and students who attended the occasion said lack of ambition on the part of girl children could be the cause for early pregnancies.

“Young girls tend to have uncontrolled desires for material things rather than pursuit of their future dreams. They demand things they cannot afford from men, who then exploit the situation to have sex with the girls,” a student who preferred anonymity said.

According to them, failure by parents to provide school necessities to girl children contributed to the increase in early pregnancies.