MPs win kudos for supporting child marriage bill

Women for Change has commended Parliamentarians for showing strong commitment towards ending child marriages by supporting a bill aimed at criminalizing the act.

Executive Director Lumba Siyanga says her organisation is pleased that the MPs recognize the negative social, economic and health impact of child marriages.

Ms Siyanga notes that once the bill is enacted, the scourge of child marriages will reduce drastically thereby addressing its negative effects, among them health complications like virginal fistula, risks of contracting HIV and maternal mortality.

She says Child marriages are a driver for Gender Based Violence (GBV) because girls in these marriages are unable to meet their husbands’ expectations that can only be met by an adult wife.

Ms Siyanga therefore, states that having this law in place will not only reduce the negative impact of child marriage on girls and national development but also assist traditional leaders fight against the vice in their chiefdoms based on concrete grounds.

She adds that Women for Change is elated that this move by the Members of Parliament will meet its objectives of protecting the sexual reproductive health rights for girls including their right to education.