Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government says child marriages remain one of the predominant architects of violation of children’s rights whose perpetuation has largely been influenced by people who do not understand the importance of protecting children’s rights.
Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr. Joseph Katema says child marriages are now widely recognized as a violation of children’s rights world over including Zambia.
Dr. Katema says child ma
rriages have a negative effect on the girl child, her family, the nation and the world at large.
He says these girls are exposed to a number of health disadvantages such as the risks of contracting HIV/AIDS, the risk of cervical cancer, pregnancy and child bearing complications and even death.
Dr. Katema states that his ministry is mobilizing support from stakeholders and cooperating partners for development of effective interventions which should be simple and sustainable for ending child marriages.
The Chiefs and Traditional Minister said this in Lusaka this morning during the official opening of a capacity building training workshop on ending child marriages and harmful traditional practices in Africa organized by the African Union Commission.
Speaking at the same event, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy country Representative Chinwe Ogbanna says statistics on child marriages are a source of concern with about 140 girls within five minutes being married off.
Ms Ogbanna says the workshop underscores the importance of stakeholders coming up with ideas of ending this negative vice.
And African Union Commission Head of Social Welfare, Dr. John Strijdom says the commission will continue working with relevant stakeholders by investing programs aimed at ending child marriages in order to safeguard the welfare of the girl child.