Project terminates 293 child marriages in Ntchisi

Ntchisi Evangelical Churches Consortium for Social Services through Tigwirane Manja Project has terminated 293 child marriages in the district.

Some of the children have since returned to school while others are pursuing technical and vocational skills programmes.

Speaking on Tuesday during an awareness campaign on child marriages, the organisation’s executive director Mathias Chindungwa said they want to end child marriages in the district.

“In conjunction with the district social welfare office, police, local and religious leaders, we tracked girls that went into marriages and withdrew them,” he said.

Chindungwa said most girls were forced into early marriages due to poverty, peer pressure and parental influence.

“We established two centres to offer vocational skills to girls who cannot return to school to empower them economically,” he said.

Mphatso Phiri from Senior Chief Chilooko, who is learning tailoring, thanked the organisation for the training.

“I went into marriage due to peer pressure, but I learned my lesson. I will concentrate on my training because I want to raise money on my own,” she said.

Phiri advised fellow girls not to rush into marriage, but to work hard in school to become productive citizens in future.

Ntchisi North legislator Arnold Kadzanja (Malawi Congress Party) said he will ensure that more funds from the Constituency Development Fund are allocated towards bursaries for needy learners. 

“We want girls to continue with their education without challenges,” he said.

Senior Chief Chilooko said he will engage other traditional leaders to end child marriages.

“We will formulate by-laws to protect girls in the area,” he said.

The consortium is implementing the project in the district with support from World Vision Malawi.