Zambia Reaffirms Commitment to Ending Child Marriages
The Zambian government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to eradicating all forms of child marriages through robust legal and policy frameworks. This declaration was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ms Angela Kawandami, during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, USA.
Speaking at a side event co-hosted with Canada and the United Kingdom, titled ‘Bridging the Gap from Beijing to 2030 – Ending all forms of Child Marriage’, Ms Kawandami emphasized the need for renewed stakeholder dedication to eliminate child, early, and forced marriages by 2030.
Ms Kawandami acknowledged Zambia’s progress in implementing effective community-based initiatives, legal reforms, public policies, and educational campaigns aimed at curbing early marriages. However, she expressed concern that millions of girls in Zambia are still married before the age of 18.
“We must prioritize evidence-based community interventions and foster collaboration at international, regional, national, and local levels to accelerate efforts to end child marriage,” Ms Kawandami stated. “It is essential to amplify the voices of adolescent girls and ensure their protection.”
She further assured that Zambia is ready to work with global partners to mobilize political will, financial resources, and community engagement to secure every girl’s right to a safe, healthy, and empowered life.
Canada, a key partner in the initiative, pledged to champion the global campaign against child, early, and forced marriages. The Canadian representative stressed that no government, community, or family has the right to steal a child’s future by robbing them of their childhood.
Similarly, the United Kingdom urged member states to formulate policies that secure the education, health, and future of girls. The UK representative highlighted the importance of drawing from the experiences of survivors to help protect others.
