Machinga District Reports Decline in Child Marriages
Officials did not provide specific data on the reduction in child marriages or educational outcomes resulting from the project.
MACHINGA, Malawi— Machinga District Council officials expressed satisfaction Wednesday with the reduction of child marriages in the area, following the conclusion of a project aimed at ending the practice, writes Peter Ngwenyama.
The "Social Transformation for Ending Child Marriages" project, organized by Youth Response for Social Change, worked across six traditional authorities in Machinga.
District Commissioner Rodrick Mateauma said the council collaborated with several non-governmental organizations to address high rates of school dropout and child marriages.
"We've seen success due to bylaws encouraging children to focus on education rather than harmful practices leading to teenage pregnancies," Mateauma said.
Lamecks Kiyare, executive director of Youth Response for Social Change, emphasized the project's goal of empowering youth with skills to become self-reliant.
"We urge different organizations and the government to empower youth with skills nationwide to achieve sustainable development goals," Kiyare said.
Traditional Authority Mizinga praised the project for motivating youth to pursue education and providing learning materials.
"We need a mindset change. Everyone should receive equal treatment, whether boy or girl," Mizinga said, urging parents not to use poverty as a reason for child marriages.
Grace Buwawa, a project beneficiary, highlighted the economic impact of teenage pregnancies, including healthcare costs for girls who develop fistulas.
The project operated in Traditional Authorities Mizinga, Kawinga, Chikweo, Mlomba, Nyambi, and Mchenguza.
Officials did not provide specific data on the reduction in child marriages or educational outcomes resulting from the project.