Married at 13
Written by Mohale FM on December 7, 2025
CHILDREN from destitute families are increasingly failing to progress beyond primary school due to their parents’ inability to afford secondary school fees.
The situation is worse in rural areas, where girls who drop out of school are often pushed into early marriages or the sex trade while still underage to become breadwinners for their vulnerable families. These challenges came to light in Sehonghong, Thaba-Tseka, during a district tour by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and members of the parliamentary Social Cluster Committee last week.
The visit sought to assess issues related to child marriage, early and unintended pregnancies, and sexual and reproductive health rights. A Sehonghong community member, Rapapa Thieo, said the lack of access to secondary education had fuelled several social problems.
He noted that out-of-school children often wander aimlessly, become vulnerable to exploitation, and in many cases enter sexual relationships with older men. Some girls marry as young as 13.
As a concerned parent, he appealed to the government to sponsor high school education, saying financial hardships were forcing children to leave school after completing primary education. Mr Thieo explained that while the government funds tertiary education and primary schooling is free and compulsory, secondary education remains a major barrier for poor households. As a result, many children drop out after Grade 7.
After hearing their concerns, members of the Social Cluster Committee pledged to review laws protecting children from sexual exploitation. They said they would push to raise the legal age of sexual consent from 16 to 18 and strengthen penalties for rape, GBV and sexual harassment. Committee member Remaketse Sehlabaka emphasized the need for harsher penalties for child marriage and GBV to ensure better protection for children. UNFPA country representative, Kennedy Mosoti, promised the establishment of a youth resource centre in Sehonghong, where young people will access skills training and vital information.
