A study of the impact of religion on child welfare. The case of Johane Marange Sect in Mafararikwa Marange Bocha (2000-2018)

ABSTRACT

Religion is a core component in the social, political and economic sphere of mankind. The impact of religion on child welfare has been underplayed, despite it being the opium of society. The Johane Marange apostolic sect has only gained the limelight for negative reasons, as it has been widely castigated for undermining the basic human rights of its members especially children .Several NGOs have found it difficult to work with the sect, which in reciprocation does not cooperate in their activities for the fear that these organisations are bent on undermining its doctrine. Children are the ones who are suffering a lot in the name of religion .Practices such as zero tolerance to modern medication, polygamy, virginity testing, child marriage ,child pledging ,wife inheritance and child labour by the sect are the major sources of child abuse. The critics of the sect have gone on to point out that the sect undermines its children and other church follower‟s rights to education, health, information and even life. The denial of such rights, resulted the welfare of children to be at risk .Therefore, this study focuses much on highlighting major doctrines, teachings and practices which are proved to be hazardous to the general welfare of children in Johane Marange. The government of Zimbabwe together with other non-state actors have stepped into the center of action and tried to help out children but no resounding results yielded.