PACTPAN Member Calls for Stronger Action to End Child Marriage

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — A member of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) has called for legal reforms and stronger enforcement of existing laws to protect girls from child marriage in Tanzania.

Dr Sylvia Gaudence Ruambo, coordinator of PACTPAN’s Let the Little Children Come to Me unit, made the call during events in Dar es Salaam marking the International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on 11 October. This year’s theme was “End Child Marriage, Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
The commemorations brought together girls and young people, child-rights stakeholders, feminists, women’s rights defenders, representatives of religious and government institutions, and other advocates committed to advancing girls’ rights.

On 12 October 2026, Dr Ruambo spoke at an event organised by the Young and Alive Initiative (YAI) at the New Library Hall of the University of Dar es Salaam. She highlighted gaps in Tanzania’s marriage laws that continue to enable child marriage, despite a 2016 High Court ruling declaring the relevant legal provisions unconstitutional.

Earlier, on 10 October, she participated in a panel discussion organised by the Doris Mollel Foundation at the Giraffe Hotel, where she addressed the issue of child marriage in Tanzania. At both events, she called for legal reforms and stronger enforcement to safeguard girls’ rights.

According to national data for 2022, 29.1 per cent of Tanzanian women aged 20–24 had entered marriage or a union before the age of 18, while 5.2 per cent had married before the age of 15. These figures mean that nearly three in every ten young women in this age group had experienced child marriage.

Child marriage in Tanzania is driven by a complex combination of poverty, gender inequality, cultural norms, harmful traditional and customary practices, weaknesses in the legal framework, and limited educational opportunities.

Dr Ruambo also emphasised the role of Churches and faith-based organisations in protecting children. She said they have a moral responsibility to uphold human dignity, challenge harmful practices, and promote justice, equality and compassion.

She noted that the Church can help change attitudes that normalise child marriage, encourage parents to keep girls in school, and ensure that religious and cultural beliefs are never used to justify violence or deny children their rights.

“Ending child marriage is not only a girls’ issue; it is a shared responsibility involving families, communities, boys and men, religious institutions, civil society organisations and the Government,” Dr Ruambo said.

The commemorations highlighted the urgent need to address gaps in the law and harmful social norms that perpetuate child marriage. Participants renewed calls for legal reforms, including the harmonisation of statutory and customary laws, the closure of existing loopholes, and the effective enforcement of laws protecting girls from child marriage.

The events also underscored the importance of investing in girls’ education, protection and dignity, as well as ensuring their meaningful participation in decisions affecting their lives.

Dr Ruambo reaffirmed PACTPAN

Tanzania’s commitment to child protection, grounded in human dignity, justice, compassion and shared responsibility. She called for collective action to ensure that every girl is protected, educated, respected and empowered to shape her future.