Mateyo who is also Village Headman Ngwezhe of Kapijimpanga chiefdom
joins the Insakwa traditional dancers in the song known as ‘’Carrying
the myth’’ locally knowns as Kisosolwa during the commemoration of
World Sight Day at Kyawama grounds in Solwezi
The Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) is in the process of formulating a law that will criminalize child marriages that have become rampant in the country.
The commission is currently going round the country receiving submissions on child marriages among others from various stakeholders who include identified traditional leaders, Non-Governmental Organizations and government heads of departments.
ZLDC Assistant Research officer Mercy Lupupa says most child marriages occur under customary law and hence the commission is engaging traditional leaders to see how best this vice can be halted.
Ms Lupupa said the commission is also working on how to regulate marriage age under customary law and the punishment for perpetrators of this detrimental vice.
She was speaking during a courtesy call on Northwestern province Permanent Secretary Ephraim Mateyo at his office in Solwezi today.
And Mr Mateyo said coming up with a law to criminalize child marriage will act as a deterrent measure especially in rural areas where child marriages are so rampant.
Mr Mateyo noted that teachers are the most culprits in luring girls and that the new law will help address the issue that is a concern to everyone.
That’s great news, we can’t fight child marriage based on policy while customary law still applies. This is however, welcome news as we shall have a standard law both applicable to customary and statutory marriages.
Waste of time and money.