Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Chief Mumena of the Kaonde speaking people in Solwezi district says a lot of progress has been made in stopping early and child marriages in his chiefdom.
Chief Mumena says early marriages have had a negative impact not only on girls being married off, but on the society as a whole as these girls if educated would effectively contribute to national development.
He notes that early and child marriages have also largely contributed to the high poverty levels in the country especially in rural areas.
The traditional leader states that if the levels of poverty in rural areas and the country as a whole are to be reduced, early marriages should be stopped.
Chief Mumena says he is hopeful that government working with traditional leaders and other stakeholders will continue to discourage early marriages for the betterment of the country.
He has further encouraged fellow traditional leaders not to relent in the fight against early marriages in their chiefdoms but do everything possible to ensure that the girl child is protected and educated so that they turn out to be responsible adults.