AU hails drive to end child marriages

African Union (AU) goodwill ambassador on ending child marriages Dr Nyaladzai Gumbondranda has commended government and its partners for stepping up the fight against child marriages.

She expressed the sentiments on Monday when an AU delegation visited Sub-Traditional Authority (ST/A) Nyanyala in Balaka to appreciate strides Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Wolrec) has made in combating child marriages in the district. 

Gumbondranda said: “During the tour, I have seen that the Government of Malawi has commissioned itself in ending child marriages.

“I have also seen a clear commitment by the law enforcement agencies in bringing perpetrators of child marriages to book.”

She also said she was impressed with girls returning to school after being withdrawn from early marriages.

Mary Kadziputa, one of the champions in ending child marriages in ST/A Nyanyala, said they have withdrawn girls from early marriages since 2019.

“Some of the girls have returned to school. For instance, 481 girls are back in primary school, 197 returned to secondary school,” she said.

Wolrec executive director Maggie Kathewera-Banda said they sought to create an enabling environment for girls through ending gender-based violence in the area.

She said: “Besides sending girls back to school, we also advocated for the abolishment of harmful cultural practices that fuel gender-based violence.”

Wolrec is implementing a project dubbed Improved Action on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Safe and adequate Services Now in the district.