By NAKUBIANA MUMBUNA, PASSY HAACHIZO and MWANGALA LISELI –
CHILD marriage to this day remains a serious problem not only in Zambia but world over.
The phenomenon however largely remains widespread in developing countries  disproportionately affecting girls and endangering their lives.
Child marriage violets the girl child’s basic human rights depriving them of their right to an education.
Further, child brides are deprived of their right to protection against all forms of exploitation while at the same time face serious health complications.
To this end, statistics indicate that one third of girls in developing countries are married before the age of 18 years.
But what is child marriage?
Child marriage is an informal union before the age of 18 years.
However, it is important to note that child marriage is a reality for both girls and boys though girls are the ones that are most affected.
In this regard, the children affected is not only robbed of their childhood but also robbed of life time opportunities.
Admittedly, it is this harsh reality that calls for action at many levels.
It is in this regard, that the Sunday Times took time to find out what measures were being taken by various take holders in fighting the phenomenon in Zambia.
To this end, last week Women for Change (WFC) with support from Plan International Zambia (PIZ) held a Southern African Development Community (SADC) traditional leaders and stakeholders conference in Lusaka to mobilise regional awareness and action against child marriage.
The conference was aimed at finding best solutions to fighting child marriage not only in Zambia but the SADC region.
It also attracted representatives from various organisations who came together with the aim of finding a lasting solution to child marriages.
However, it must be acknowledged that the engagement of traditional leaders at the conference was on point as they are in the position to identify and advocate for the removal of harmful traditional and cultural practices perpetuating child marriages.
Agreeably, this is so because traditional leaders can advocate for the removal of harmful traditional and cultural practices perpetuating child marriages as they are the custodians of culture.
Yes, the SADC traditional leaders and stakeholders conference is indeed timely taking into account the alarming statistics on child marriages not only in Zambia but the region.
Currently, statistics indicate that Southern African countries have some of the highest rates of child marriage on the continent and around the world.
Shockingly, 43.9 per cent of the girls in Mozambique and 51 per cent of girls in Malawi, and 42 per cent in Zambia are married as children, before they are 18 years of age, while 31 per cent of all girls in Zimbabwe face similar risks.
With these alarming statistics, the SADC traditional leaders and stakeholders conference was indeed a timely intervention.
Yes, as echoed by the deputy minister of chiefs and traditional affairs John Kufuna the vice is seriously afflicting the nation, given the statistics and so the conference was indeed timely.
However, it is encouraging that a number of organisations have continued to help fighting the scourge in communities in Zambia.
One such organisation is the World Vision Zambia (WVZ) which has continued with sensitization campaigns against child marriage in many parts of the country.
WVZ is currently working to reduce child marriages in Katete, Chikomeni, Chongwe, Keembe, and Chibombo.
To this end, orld Vision Zambia cluster Programme Manager for Mumbwa, Wilfred Mufwambi, recently revealed that in the organisations quest to
fighting child marriages the WVZ had trained some community volunteers who reach out to head men and the communities to sensitize them on child marriages and defilement.
He further revealed that the sensitization programs were bearing fruit in that people in the district were reporting child marriage cases whenever they occurred within the community.
“These sensitization campaigns have enlightened the community on child marriages and currently a number of people were coming forward
to report, “he said.
Admittedly, it is also gratifying that WVZ was also supporting a one stop center where the community was free to go for counseling on various issues affecting them in their communities including early child marriages.
Mr Mufwambi however stated that child marriage in Mumbwa district was still a challenge.
Also encouraging are reports from Chongwe, indicating that child marriages were decreasing.
To this end, Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II recently revealed that following her active involvement, the scourge was on the decrease.
Speaking through senior headman Kapuka Tatile ,Chieftainess Nkomeshya revealed that she had tirelessly sensitised the community on the dangers of child marriage in her area.
“We normally call for meetings to sensitise parents and children on the need to curb the issue of early marriage in our chiefdom and we have noted that child marriage is reducing,” said Mr Tatile.
To this end, with the efforts being undertaken by Non Governmental organisation (NGO’s), and the involvement of traditional leaders the war against child marriage in Zambia with out doubt is imminent.