Government has implored traditional leaders and civic leaders to take a leading role in stopping child marriages and exploitation of the girl child.
Justice Minister, Given Lubinda said the noticeable increase of child marriages, especially in rural areas worries government.
He said this when he graced the 27th Lukwakwa traditional ceremony of the Mbunda speaking people at Senior Chief Sikufele’s palace in Manyinga district in North-Western Province yesterday.
Mr. Lubinda said chiefs are key in unifying communities and in the preservation of culture therefore, they must take a leading role in stopping child marriages and exploitation of the girl child in their chiefdoms.
He said the dignity of a girl child should not be compromised because of initiation or culture practices if the country’s traditions are to stand the taste of time.
Mr. Lubinda said government through his ministry will soon come up with a law to protect the welfare of the girl child.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lubinda said President Edgar Lungu has always emphasized on the need for traditional leaders to work closely with government in ensuring development and peace in the nation.
He therefore, advised Senior Chief Sikufele to work in collaboration with other stakeholders in the district in resolving the succession wrangles in chief Chiyengele’s chiefdom in Kabompo district.
And speaking at the same ceremony, Lukwakwa Traditional Ceremony National Chairperson, Gregory Kangwanda commended government for embarking on a number of developmental projects in the district.
Mr. Kangwanda however, appealed for speedy pace on the construction of houses and offices for civil servants who are in dare need of accommodation.
They will gas them to death when they get to UNZA… they are not protected there.
They can’t protect students in lusaka and here he is dreaming about protecting those in rural areas .
Let this not be empty rhetoric. Let’s protect the girl child
There should be in place laws to protect all children from physical threats like gassing before even contemplating protecting them from imagibery threats