Acting Chilanga District Commissioner, Maureen Chilende says government recognises early pregnancies and forced marriages as serious threats to children’s well-being, especially girls.
Ms Chilende said the vices impact families and national development.
She was speaking during a community engagement organised by Mothers Without Borders to discuss causes of early pregnancies and forced marriages affecting the girl child in the community and identify solutions.
“Government has put in place measures and polices aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of the girl child which includes enforcing laws against child marriage, supporting re-entry policies that allow young mothers to return to school and expanding access to youth friendly health services just to mention a few,” Ms Chilende explained.
She also pointed out that in collaboration with schools, health facilities, community development offices, law enforcement and traditional leaders, government was ensuring cases of abuse, defilement and forced marriages were reported and dealt with promptly.
Mothers Without Borders Country Director, Josephine Mulenga said the meeting provides a platform for girls and parents to identify causes like peer pressure, envy for luxuries, poverty and lack of parental guidance on premarital sex consequences, while stressing every community member’s role in protecting children.
Mothers Without Borders has run the “Be That Girl” programme since 2008, sponsoring and mentoring 500 vulnerable girls for education.
