The Eastern Province has the highest rate of child marriages

Chiefs and Traditional Affairs minister Lawrence Sichalwe says the Eastern Province has the second-highest prevalence rate of child marriage at 45 per cent. Mr Sichalwe said Eastern Province was second to Northern Province which has a 49 per cent prevalence rate.

He was speaking at the start of a three-day Eastern Province traditional leaders’ workshop on better health outcomes for adolescents and young people at Protea Hotel in Chipata. Mr Sichalwe said the training will provide a platform for sharing of best practices in addressing challenges in relation to adolescent sexuality.

Mr Sichalwe said the workshop will enhance the traditional leaders’ role as champions of ending child marriage.

Chief Madzimawe, who is the provincial chiefs’ council chairperson, wondered why the people who were being discussed in the meeting were not present. He said young people needed to be represented at the meeting. Chief Madzimawe said it was his hope that the province would be free from early marriages.