Zambia has made great strides in ending child marriage – Kalima

Government says the country has made gigantic strides in ending child marriage.

Gender Minister Victoria Kalima says despite the strides made in eliminating early child marriage, there is need for everyone to ensure that children’s rights are not only protected, but that services that are needed are made available to allow them explore their potential.

Speaking during the launch of the World Vision Campaign dubbed, “It takes Zambia to end child marriage”, Ms. Kalima says with the Launch of the National Campaign in 2013, the Ministry of Gender has been working closely with various partners to bring about meaningful change in the lives of the girls in the country.

In a speech read on her behalf by Acting Permanent Secretary Sandra Ndhlovu, Ms. Kalima says Zambia has also developed the national communication and advocacy strategy to be launched before December 2018.

She says the broader strategic interventions on the communication and advocacy strategy will include, coordination and management, capacity strengthening, advocacy, social mobilization, media engagement and community engagement.

Ms. Kalima states that ending child marriage requires a collaborated response from every citizen, thus the urgent need to support adolescent girls and boys especially those in rural areas in their education so that they too can become leaders in future.

Ms. Kalima says the “it takes Zambia to end child marriage” campaign, fits well into the national campaign on ending marriage that government launched in 2013.

Speaking earlier, World Vision Southern Region Team Leader Mark Kelly has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to continue supporting efforts by the government, donors, civil society and other stakeholders in the fight to end child marriage in Zambia.

Mr. Kelly says the campaign will be launched in the over 40 districts where the organization is operating.