Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Chief Chisunka of the Aushi speaking people in Mansa District, Luapula Province has urged fellow tradition leaders to formulate customary laws that will protect the girl child.
Chief Chisunka has told QFM News in an interview that he has formulated eleven customary laws to deal with parents forcing their children into early marriages.
The Traditional Leader says the measures he has taken have helped curb early marriages in his chiefdom because people are afraid of giving away their children into early marriages for fear of being punished.
He adds that he has managed to retrieve some of the under-age girls from their marriages and is sponsoring them in school.
Chief Chisunka adds that poverty and lack of sponsorship are some of the major contributors to parents forcing their children into premature marriages.
Meanwhile, some of the girls talked to by QFM News, have praised Chief Chisunka for taking such a bold step, adding that they are motivated to finish school knowing that they are protected.