— Lunga District on course in fighting early marriages

Lunga District on course in fighting early marriages

Lunga,  November 18^th,  2014,  ZANIS———-Campaign Against Early Marriages (CEM) Chairperson Shepherd Kabanshi has expressed happiness at the efforts being made by deferent organisations towards curbing Early Marriages in Lunga District in Luapula Province.

Mr  Kabanshi says the efforts being made by Traditional Leaders, Community Crime Prevention Unit and the Judiciary Department is commendable.

He said issues of child marriage are rampant in the district adding that without the involvement government departments and NGOs the fight cannot be worn.

 Mr. Kabanshi disclosed that it gratifying that parents who are in the habit of marrying their children at a tender age are being punished and taken to court saying this is the only way that the vice will be curbed.

ZANIS reports that  the CEM chairperson was speaking in an interview today in Lunga District today.

He  said about 50 percent  girl children in the area married off by their parents in the four chiefdoms of the area have since gone back to School.

The area being a swampy area has forced most communities to live in small groups mainly living on fishing industry. This gives rise to early marriages as schools and other social amenities are often inaccessible.

And Leo Mwape who is also an advocate against early marriages said the rate of maternal deaths has reduced in the area.

Mr. Mwape  has since  appealed to more people come in the fight against early marriage in the district.