First Lady Esther Lungu says the problem of early marriages is a thorny issue facing Zambia today that needs concerted efforts.
The First Lady said this in Chipata today when she addressed the media to wrap up her five day visit to Eastern Province.
The First Lady said she is happy with the strides Government is making to address the problem of early marriages, but much more needs to be done.
She said it is for this reason the Esther Lungu Foundation has also come up with a programme that will strengthen chiefdom response in dealing with early marriages.
Mrs Lungu said the foundation is working with UNICEF to incorporate the wives to traditional leaders so that they get fully involved in combating early marriage and sexual abuse of girls.
And the First Lady has described as a great success her five day visit to Eastern Province.
Wrapping up her tour, the First Lady told journalists that her spirit has been elated after interacting with the Theresian Sisters as they celebrated their 50th anniversary.
“These are women who have a heart to serve the less privileged, they provide pastoral services that they are giving high moral values to our communities, which everyone needs,” she said
The First Lady noted that what touches her about the Theresian Sisters is that they also provide services to the less privileged children and the youths.
Mrs Lungu added that she stated that it was an honour that she was invited to grace the Theresian Sisters 50th Anniversary, and treasured that moment because it is a place where she felt the presence of the Lord and her spirit was elated.
Mrs Lungu said she also treasured the moment she interacted with children with disabilities at Cheshire Homes where the Esther Lungu Foundation donated food stuff and soaps.
“Those are children that I treasure in my life because they also deserve a life suitable for every person created by God. They need to be given the basics, I carried a few items that I left there and had a good time with them,” she said.
And the First Lady disclosed that her desire is to work with women leaders in churches, other than those she has assisted before, as they are taking up a greater responsibility of helping people in distress, including those in hospital and prisons.
The women in churches have provided services to people who are hospitals, people who are incarcerated but they lack resources and I feel it is time we tried to work with those women have a heart to assist the communities,”
“I have a feeling dealing with women also, apart from many other women I have been supporting, will create an impact in coming up with developmental projects in agriculture women in have a heart to serve humanity “but they lack resources.” She said.
She stated that the other success of her trip was that many partners, businesses and organisations that came forward to donate to the Esther Lungu Foundation.
Among those she thanked include Kavulamungu Bargain Centre, the Chipata Muslim Association and Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), an international agro commodities company with a Eastern regional office based in Katete.
Kavulamungu and the Chipata Muslim Association donated mealie meal and assorted food items to the Foundation.
On the other hand, LDC donated 2 000 bags of cotton seed and 1 000 packs of chemicals worth K300 000, which will be distributed to women in churches who will go into cotton out grower scheme.
Under the out-grower scheme, LDC will train women in growing quality cotton and buy the product from them.
“These are projects that I cherish because they will keep our women in their confines, unlike other projects or businesses that women do will make them leave their children, especially the girl-child,” she said.
She noted that the going out of women from their homes to go and fend for their families, leaving the children unattended to, could be one of the reasons why most girls are being defiled by men with low moral values.
Saw the permanent secretary all over the first Lady. This lady is not a government employee and her office is not constitutional, I hope government money is not being used for trip. No malice here, just stating facts. Permanent secretary and other government officials must concentrate on government work and not the personal work the first Lady is doing
Very likely that the whole government machinery is on standstill in Chipata attending to a house wife called first Lady. Why doesnt this primitivity ever take place in developed countries. All she requires is security only, other government officials must continue with their work in their offices
Legally there is no office in Zambia called first Lady. If she is going to Chipata the husband must foot the bill, moreover there is loose free money called Presidential empowerment, I hope that is what is being used here
Hope her trip is being sponsored by her husband through Presidential empowerment.
Amwa peeeeliing let’s fight early childhood marriages.
Don’t waste your efforts preventing early marriages. I am saying this because even the little effort you are applying in preventing early marriages will be shredded by COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION when young and undewr age people start experimenting on what they have learnt.
Yes our wise and humble mother we agree with you and we will support your efforts. Amen
Excellent work Mama Esther, our children don’t need to be married off at a tender age, instead let us encourage fellow parents to educate them and give them a future with hope. There’s nothing bright or hopeful about a 14 year old being sent off to a marriage!!! Your efforts in fighting early marriages is much appreciated mum!!