Thursday, March 28, 2024

Zambia implementing comprehensive response to ending child marriage – Government

Share

Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme, MP, speaking on during a panel discussion on Ending harmful practices : making commitments real at the International  Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday 13 November, 2019. Minister Chiteme is representing His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of Zambia at the ICPD25. PHOTO | Chibaula Silwamba | MNDP
Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme, MP, speaking on during a panel discussion on Ending harmful practices : making commitments real at the International Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday 13 November, 2019. Minister Chiteme is representing His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of Zambia at the ICPD25. PHOTO | Chibaula Silwamba | MNDP

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has informed delegates to the Nairobi Summit the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD@25) that the country has adopted a comprehensive response to ending child marriage through multi-sectoral planning and implementation of interventions.

Minister of National Development Planning, Honourable Alexander Chiteme, who is leading the Zambian delegation on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of Zambia, said the comprehensive response has brought together all key sectors such as education, health, social services and justice sector. Hon. Chiteme said education includes life skills for both in and out of school adolescents and young people, health includes assess to sexual reproductive health information and services, while social services include social cash transfers and economic empowerment and livelihood interventions.

“It is worth noting that Zambia was one of the first countries in Africa to develop a National Strategy on Ending Child Marriage and this national strategy also has a costed National Plan of Action. Further, we have a national communication and advocacy strategy.
The formulation of these policy documents was led by the Government with support from the UN system particularly UNFPA and UNICEF,” Hon. Chiteme said. “These sectors each bring their comparative advantage at national and sub-national levels.”

He informed the delegates that the Zambian Government and other stakeholders work together to ensure traditional and religious leaders, parents, traditional marriage counsellors, young people, adolescents, children and everyone in communities was reached with information on the dangers of child marriage and other harmful practices and the benefits of staying longer in school and delaying marriage. 

Hon. Chiteme said keeping girls in school until completion of secondary school and enhance their potential and capacities through tertiary education and other forms of skills training including technical and vocational training was very important. 

Ministry of National Development Planning  permanent secretary (Development Cooperation, Monitoring and Evaluation Danies Chisenda and Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kennedy Malama following deliberations on Ending harmful practices : making commitments real at the International  Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday 13 November, 2019. PHOTO | Chibaula Silwamba | MNDP
Ministry of National Development Planning permanent secretary (Development Cooperation, Monitoring and Evaluation Danies Chisenda and Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kennedy Malama following deliberations on Ending harmful practices : making commitments real at the International Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday 13 November, 2019. PHOTO | Chibaula Silwamba | MNDP
Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme, MP, speaking on during a panel discussion on Ending harmful practices : making commitments real at the International  Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday 13 November, 2019. Other panelists are Ministers from Italy, India,  Armenia, UK, African Union Commissioner for social affairs PHOTO | Chibaula Silwamba | MNDP
Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme, MP, speaking on during a panel discussion on Ending harmful practices : making commitments real at the International Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday 13 November, 2019. Other panelists are Ministers from Italy, India, Armenia, UK, African Union Commissioner for social affairs PHOTO | Chibaula Silwamba | MNDP
Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme, MP, at the Ending harmful practices : making commitments real at the International  Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday 13 November, 2019. PHOTO | Chibaula Silwamba | MNDP
Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme, MP, at the Ending harmful practices : making commitments real at the International Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday 13 November, 2019. PHOTO | Chibaula Silwamba | MNDP

1 COMMENT

  1. Child marriages cannot end if you don’t improve the economy! You may succeed in criminalizing early marriages but child marriages will come in form of “Damage.” We were told more than 2,000 Teenage pregnancies were recorded Kumawa not long ago. If we want child marriages and Teenage pregnancies to be effectively eradicated, improve people’s welfare by paying attention to the Economy! Giving away children in early marriages is a base survival instinct arising from poverty!

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading