CHIEF Kasoma Lwela of the Ushi people in Mansa has started dissolving child marriages in his chiefdom and called for strengthening of legislation on child-related affairs.
The traditional ruler said under-age marriages were counter-productive to the development of the country.
“I have decided to dissolve all marriages involving under-age girls in my chiefdom and so far I have dissolved eight this year,” Chief Kasoma told delegates at the opening of a Plan International workshop on gender-based violence and child protection held at Mansa Hotel.
He said under-age marriages were rife in his area and were affecting the education of girl-children apart from exposing them to HIV/AIDS at a tender age.
The traditional ruler said early marriages were also exposing young girls to labour complications, resulting in increased maternal and infant mortality.
Chief Kasoma said that to deter would-be offenders, he had introduced severe punishment for all parents involved in marrying off girls.
“Parents who promote or even encourage teenage marriages upon conviction can be taken to Umulima Chipuba (the chief’s communal field) for severe punishment or expel them from my chiefdom,” he said.
He said there was need for the Government to strengthen laws on child protection.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, child development officer Cosmas Banda said the Government had stepped up sensitisation campaigns on child welfare and formed a child protection committee comprising various institutions in Mansa.
“In the Sixth National Development Plan, we have included such aspects as raising more public awareness on all issues of child protection.
“Our committee has non-governmental organisations, police, Anti-Corruption Commission and many others so that whatever case we come across, we are able to easily hand it over to the responsible wing,” Mr Banda said.
And Plan International community development co-ordinator for Mansa District, Grace Mwendapole said early marriages were affecting enrolment levels in primary schools and could undermine Zambia’s attainment of the Education for All MDG goal.
[Times of Zambia]
Well done.this marriages produce children who later become a burden to the nation cos the parents are unable to up-bring them.These boys and girls think marriage is all about chops. I also recommend a prison sentence to parents allowing such marriages.
Very noble your highness…
Well done chief kasoma, help this poor gvt of MMD. this is what Fostina Sinyangwe was talking about, they formulated a policy and completely forgot about it.You think MMD would waste time on children issues,children will not give them votes, they dont vote. They would rather go and cheat people in Namwala than care about children matters. This is MMD under RB in conjuction with FTJ….you will see where we are going. Between now and time for elections alot of GVT programes will be abandoned only campain programmes such road works will be looked into. Bushe uwatulowa fwebena Africa ninani??? why do we fight to cling to power instead of just making sure we do the right thing and let people decide wether we should continue ruling or not. VJ, you are sitting on a time bomb.
WELL DONE YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS. WE NEED MORE LIKE YOU IN THIS COUNTRY. WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS
well done ba chief, hope more will emulate you
Kanabesa na mikukwila….. This is what we call developmental issues for our future leaders. Ala BaKasoma apa epashili pakuleka. If at all you happen to meet other chiefs uko ku luapula let this issue be on the top agenda. We will support you.
I know of one girl from a nearby village whom they wanted to marry off when she was in grade seven. She refused and ran away from home. Fortunately some well wishers intervened and took her back to school. She managed to complete her education at least up to grade twelve. She can speak very good english. And she is now independent.
This is the best that has been done by a chief in a long time in Zambia and hope other chiefs can do the same. Well done your royal highness!
Ok, I have an issue with this. Even though the chief has decided to dissolve these child marriages, then what? Does he intend to send them back to school and take care of their needs? How will these girls now survive considering they were married off in the first place due to hardships in the family? More needs to be done for the aftermath, there is no point just dissolving the marriages and leaving the girls with no other alternatives. Teach them a trade so they can be independent otherwise they will willing end up going back to there ex-spouses.
No.8 that is were the NGO’s come in instead of them being busy discussing Chiluba’ issues the chief has done his part!
Umulima chipuba…lol…this should be introduced accross the country …lol…
Very commendable! It doesn’t do us much good to pass legislation in Lusaka on abolishing child marriages without getting Chiefs involved. They have the power to influence their people in the villages to re-think archaic practices like 13 year olds going into marriage with old men.