Zambia: The first lady of Zambia, Mutinta Hichilema has expressed her concern about the high number of child marriages and adolescent pregnancies in the country. The First Lady has been asking the authorities to take some corrective measures the country has faced.
The First Lady has asserted that there is a need for comprehensive efforts to strengthen the legal frameworks. Through legal strength, the leaders of the country can protect the youngsters and end child marriages.
The First Lady made these remarks during the meeting to end child marriage in Lusaka on Thursday. She claimed that the highly alarming statistics of child marriage and adolescent pregnancies need everyone’s involvement.
Accordingly, the First Lady of Zambia has pledged that her office will partner with other stakeholders to address the situation. Traditional leaders are among the other stakeholders who can help with the mandate.
The First Lady announced that they will hold an advocacy campaign to end child marriage across the country. The First Lady has asked all citizens of the country to rise up and render support towards ending child marriage.
She also claimed that the practice is detrimental to the nation, a national and global concern. The traditional leaders of the country have also pledged to collaborate with the First Lady on fighting child marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Chief Chamuka of the Lenje people of Chisamba District in Central Province praised President Hakainde Hichilema for the increase in Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The CDF is one of the major programmes which is helping to keep boys and girls in school.
He also applauded the introduction of the free education policy. According to him, with the help of this policy, child marriage is expected to reduce.
The official expressed optimism that child marriage and other harmful practices will end by 2030.
UNICEF Country Resident Coordinator Penelope Campbell has also pledged her office’s continued support to the government. The organization has been working with the administration of Zambia in its endeavour to end child marriage.
Campbell observed that ending child marriage needs an increase in financial support. Further, she promised that her office and other stakeholders will continue to partner with government to address child marriage. Gender Division Permanent Secretary Mainga Kabika also pledged to support the government and other stakeholders to end child marriage by 2030 in the country.