‘Pass law on early marriages’

SENIOR Chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni-speaking people of Eastern Province has urged Government to pass the legislation that will compel all traditional leaders not to abet early marriages.
Chief Madzimawe said there are some traditional leaders who are not speaking against early marriages, making the fight against the scourge difficult.
Speaking during the launch of the civil society network in ending child marriage in Zambia recently, the traditional leader stressed that the fight against early marriages is serious in his chiefdom.
He said “for example, my entire chiefdom is against early marriages but some perpetrators sneak out to other chiefdoms where it is condoned thereby perpetuating the scourge.”
Chief Madzimawe also called on the members of Parliament who will be elected during the August elections to ensure that they pass the Traditional Leadership Bill that will spell out what a chief is supposed to do.
Speaking at the same function, Chieftainess Mwenda of the Tonga-speaking people of Chikankata district of Southern Province said early marriages especially in rural areas should not be difficult to fight as traditional leaders have power and authority to banish perpetrators.
The traditional leaders said chiefs can use power and authority under the chiefs Act to fight early marriages.
She called on other chiefs to take girl children to her chiefdom which has many training colleges and schools.
“Girl education is important and once girls are educated they have potential to contribute to national development,” the Chieftainess said.
And Chief Macha of the Tonga people of Choma district in Southern Province said he is one of the unpopular chiefs in the area because of the law he passed against early marriages.
The traditional ruler who has a smallest chiefdom in the province said, early marriages are not condoned and a penalty is always given to all found guilty.
He also called on Government on make the educational system in the country attractive to schoolgirls.
“The government must build schools within communities and school girls walking long distances to access education,” Chief Macha said.