Zambia Strengthens Fight Against Child Marriage at UN Women’s Commission
Zambia has reiterated its commitment to advancing justice for women and girls, with a particular focus on ending child marriage.
Speaking at a side event titled “From Protection to Empowerment: Advancing Justice for Adolescent Girls to End Child Marriages”, held on the margins of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), Ms Beatrice Chilomo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, highlighted Zambia’s progress in protecting girls and promoting access to justice.
The event was co-hosted by the Republic of Zambia, the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Girls Not Brides, and Zonta International. It brought together governments, UN agencies, and civil society organisations to strengthen global efforts to end child marriage.
Ms Chilomo noted that Zambia’s national prevalence of child marriage has dropped from 29% in 2018 to 23.9% in 2024.
She credited this decline to President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership as African Union Champion against child marriage, as well as legal reforms including the Marriage (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2023, which sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 without exceptions, and the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022, which domesticates international conventions and prohibits harmful practices.
“These reforms are aligned with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which prioritises gender equality, social protection, and inclusive development,” Ms Chilomo said.
She further highlighted the Education Act of 2011 and the Government’s Re-entry Policy as complementary measures supporting girls’ education and empowerment, recognising education as a key tool in preventing child marriage.
Zambia’s active engagement at CSW70 underscores its ongoing commitment to strengthening justice systems and advancing the rights of women and girls globally.
