Nkhata Bay faith groups set marriage age at 21

In a bid to fight early marriages, the clergy at Chintheche and surrounding areas in Nkhata Bay district have set 21 as the minimum marriage age they will bless weddings.

The development comes in the wake of increased cases of early marriages in the district.

Of every 100 girls under the age of 18 in the district 38 get married, but some cases go unreported which means more than 38 girls actually get married.

A recent report shows that 94 girls under the age 18 have given birth at Chintheche Rural Hospital this year.

Speaking in an interview at the weekend, Chintheche Religious Leaders in Advocacy vice chairperson the Reverend Gracious Sichali said over 35 religious groupings are part of the fight against early marriages.