OVER 800 GIRLS WITHDRAWN FROM MARRIAGES IN KATETE
OVER 800 GIRLS WITHDRAWN FROM MARRIAGES IN KATETE
First Lady Mutinta Hichilema has called for collaborative efforts from various stakeholders to curb the rising cases of Child marriages and adolescents’ pregnancies in the country.
Mrs. Hichilema observes that a multi-sectoral approach is key to address the challenge.
The First Lady also commended Chieftainess Kawaza for her notable strides in championing the fight against child marriages and called on other traditional leaders to emulate her.
She said this yesterday in Katete when she graced the campaign to end child marriages in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Minister Peter Phiri revealed that the province recorded over 32,000 teenage pregnancies in 2023 as compared to about 2,000 cases recorded in 2022.
The Minister said the province currently stands at 41.6 percent of child marriages which he said is worrying.
He has declared the child marriage problem as a provincial top priority concern.
And Chieftainess Kawaza of the Chewa people in Katete and Sinda districts pledged her continued support to ensure child marriages are completely eliminated.
The traditional leader revealed that over 800 girls were withdrawn from marriages and reintegrated back into school last year while over 500 boys who dropped out of school have also been reintegrated.