Zambian Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Ending Child Marriages
The Zambian government has underscored its dedication to ending child marriages and violence against children, which have profoundly affected young people across the country.
Speaking at the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogota, Colombia, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Angela Kawandami, highlighted Zambia’s progress in strengthening child protection laws.
Ms. Kawandami commended President Hakainde Hichilema, African Union Champion for Ending Child Marriages, for his pivotal role in advancing child protection policies.
She noted that the recent enactment of the Children’s Code Act provides Zambia with a comprehensive framework to combat child marriages, with plans underway to release a simplified, child-friendly version of the law.
In her remarks, Ms. Kawandami emphasized Zambia’s commitment to addressing the root causes of child marriage through strengthened partnerships with traditional and religious leaders.
Additionally, she highlighted Zambia’s collaboration with Canada to mobilize international support, co-sponsoring a United Nations resolution on Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, currently under review by the UN General Assembly.
The Global Ministerial Conference aims to drive policy reforms and encourage global collaboration to end violence against children. Zambia’s efforts at the conference showcase a strengthened commitment to a future free of child marriages and child abuse, with calls for united global action on this critical issue.
