By MILDRED KATONGO –
FIRST Lady Esther Lungu has urged parents to encourage their children to complete their education and stop marrying them off at tender ages.
Ms Lungu said it was important that children were educated and married at an acceptable age, particularly when they were independent.
She said this during a wedding ceremony for Zambia Army Commander Paul Mihova’s son Kayombo and Lucy Kalimanshi held at the Chamba Valley Zambia Air Force Mess in Lusaka at the weekend.
“To all parents that have attended this wedding ceremony, we must refrain from engaging our girls into early marriages.
“Children should be encouraged to finish their education before they get married like Lucy and Kayombo have done,” she said.
Ms Lungu counselled couples to refrain from engaging in gender-based violence (GBV).
She said it was important for couples to respect one another in marriages and avoid physical confrontation.
Ms Lungu said GBV was not only physical, but it also had emotional effects.
“To all Zambians, I would like to urge you to refrain from gender-based violence in your marriages.
“You may be aware that GBV is not only physical, but can also be emotional. It is, therefore, important to respect one another in a marriage and stay together as partners,” she said.
Ms Lungu urged the new couple to unite and love both families to ensure there was love and harmony.
“Lucy and Kayombo, your marriage has brought two families together, making a bigger family. Therefore, you are now privileged to be a point of unity between the two families. You should always endeavour to ensure unity prevails.
“Do not contribute to squabbles. As can be seen from this union, the two are from different regions, but have embraced the motto of One Zambia, One Nation, a slogan by our founding fathers, which we are encouraging as a nation,” she said.