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More than 5,000 children in Mbala and Mpulungu districts of Northern Province are set to benefit from a new project aimed at combating child marriages.
The initiative, implemented by Access to Health Zambia with support from UNICEF, seeks to discourage early marriages by providing children with access to various sporting activities.
During a courtesy call on Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu, Access to Health Zambia’s official, Henry Mushoka, outlined the project’s objectives.
He emphasized the organization’s commitment to keeping children in school and fostering an appreciation for education.
“We’ve introduced activities like the ‘Stepping Stone’ initiative to create safe spaces where adolescent girls and young women can discuss sexual education,” Mushoka explained, adding that the project would run for 12 months.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary Mpundu stressed the importance of directly engaging children in efforts to end child marriages, citing the high prevalence of teenage pregnancies in rural areas.
“In rural areas, it’s common to find 13- or 14-year-olds with children of their own,” Mpundu said, urging parents to take an active role in discussing sexual education with their children.
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He also pointed out that schools were key to addressing this issue effectively.
Meanwhile, Tabitha Chilongo, Senior Social Welfare Officer from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, welcomed the initiative.
She highlighted the enactment of the Child’s Act Code Bill, which criminalizes child marriage offenders, as a significant step forward in addressing the issue.
“This project demonstrates stakeholders’ dedication to combating child marriages, particularly in rural areas,” Chilongo said.
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