Chief wants marriage age raised to 21
Senior Chief Kachindamoto of Dedza has asked government to consider reviewing the marriage age from 18 to 21 years to allow more girls to complete university education.
She made the observation on Tuesday at her headquarters in Mtakataka when a United Nations Women (UN Women) delegation visited her area to appreciate the HEforSHE initiative there.
Kachindamoto said she was aware that the Marriage Act was recently reviewed by Parliament by, among others, amending the marriage age from 16 to 18 years, but said this is not enough.
“We have observed that most girls rush into marriages when they reach the age of 18 instead of continuing with their education to university level. My suggestion to government is that the marriage age should be pushed to 21 to enable girls to finish their university education,” she suggested.
Kachindamoto expressed worry that most girls are failing to access education due to long distances to school; hence, the area is registering a number of dropouts.
“I wish to appeal to well-wishers to consider constructing girl’s hotels in community day secondary schools in our area to tackle issues of accessibility,” the senior chief said.
In her remarks, UN Women executive board president Ivan Paretic appealed to parents and guardians to view education as a tool to develop their children.
She said education plays a critical role in the upbringing of children.
“There are indeed some challenges parents are facing to provide good education for their children but this should not be viewed as a setback but an opportunity to strive for more within their capabilities,” Pajevic explained.
Dedza District Council chairperson councillor Leonard Selevasi said the council is keen to ensure that its development plans include addressing child marriages.
Chiefs, religious leaders and child protection workers have joined forces to spearhead awareness on the dangers of promoting child marriages in their areas.
