Clergy to preach against child marriages
Some clergy have pledged to take to the pulpit messages against child marriages.
The clergy made the pledge during child marriage symposiums held in all the three regions of the country.
Speaking during a two-day child marriage symposium for the Southern Region in Mangochi last week, Sheikh Dinala Chabulika from the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) expressed the need for concerted efforts to reduce child marriages.
“If the clergy say no to child marriages, perpetrators will have nowhere to go to have their marriages officiated,” said Chabulika.
He said teachings of Prophet Muhammed encourage all Muslims to educate and not marry off their daughters at a tender age.
“In fact, Prophet Muhammed singled out daughters, saying anyone who educated two daughters would be saved,” said Chabulika.
Making a presentation on the stand of religious groups on child marriages, Bishop Gibson Nachiye from Harvesters Church said they will not entertain anyone involved in child marriages.
Reverend Levi Nyondo, secretary general of the CCAP Livingstonia Synod, made similar sentiments in Mzuzu where Youth Net and Counseling Organisation (Yoneco), in partnership with Girls Empowerment Network Malawi (Genet), held another symposium.
“I have grown up in the North and I know cultures such as Kupimbira that impinge on the right of girls. As a church, we condemn such cultural practices,” he said.
