Youths move to fight forced marriages

Mphatso Youth Club of Senior Chief Mkhumba’s area in Phalombe has intensified the fight against early marriages in the district.

The awareness campaign followed reports that early marriages continue to force many girls out of school in the district.

Speaking yesterday during a sensitisation activity at Mpasa Primary School, the club’s chairperson Alfred Chipendo said most parents were still marrying off their girls due to poverty.

“This is sad as early marriages rob girls of their future. So, we are conducting awareness campaigns through drama performances to fight the vice,” he said.

Chipendo said over the past six months, they have recorded 58 forced marriages, 20 physical abuse cases and 20 school-related violence cases.

“We want to create a safe community for girls to learn and reach their potential,” he said.

Senior Chief Mkhumba said it was sad that despite interventions by government and its development partners, the vice is still rife in the area.

“We are worried about the situation and when youth organisations come forward to fight the vice, we feel the urge to join the cause,” he said.

In 2021, Phalombe District Social Welfare Office recorded 429 early marriages, some of which have been terminated.

With support from the United Nations Trust Fund, Mphatso Youth Club has reached over 10 000 people with messages on child marriages.