By Lusekero Mhango
KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Authorities in Karonga have expressed concern over the increasing numbers of early, forced, and child marriages in the northern lakeshore district.
The concern follows the revelation that from the period of 2020 to 2022 Karonga recorded over 1,500 early child marriages of which 87% are those of young girls.
Speaking in an interview following an extraordinary full Council meeting to call for action against the increase of child marriages and teen pregnancies, the Chairperson for Civil Society Organisation in Karonga Jabus Nyirenda, said it is disheartening to note that despite numerous interventions to keep girls and boys in school the district continues to register alarming rates of child marriages.
“Child marriages among school-going children are a source of concern despite many efforts hence we thought of engaging the council through a call for action to strategize together as a district to reverse the worrying trends of child marriages,” he said.
On her part, the District Gender Officer for Karonga Ireen Mwenelupembe, observed that it is sad that cases of forced and child marriages are also perpetuated by a lack of commitment by communities who turn a blind eye to the vice in their locations.
She further added that child marriages deny girls their rights to education, health, and to life free of violence as such appealed for more advocacy and awareness campaigns to be conducted if the district is to reduce the high cases of child marriages.
Senior Traditional Authority Kilupula, on the other hand, said the health implications of child marriages should not be underestimated and implored fellow traditional leaders to frown upon the practice.
“The continuing quality education of girls must be championed by traditional authorities as well as the health-related impacts both the physical and psychological hence the call for action against child marriages is timely,” he explained.
Malawi is ranked 8th amongst the top 20 countries with the highest child marriage rates in the world and currently 50% of adolescent girls get married by the age of 18 years compared to only 9% of boys.
While Karonga child marriage cases are rated as 51% which is more by 1% against the national level.
