By Nephtali Kalumbi

Mangochi, June 10, Mana.  In an effort to combat early pregnancies and child marriages in Mangochi District, Parliamentary Women’s Caucus in collaboration with OXFAM, on Saturday engaged traditional leaders in senior chiefs Chimwala and Katuli areas on their role in the fight against the practice.

Mangochi is among districts in the country with the highest numbers of early pregnancies such that between 2023 and 2024, the district registered over 19,000 early pregnancies, among girls whose ages ranged from 10 to 19.

Speaking in the area of Senior Chief Katuli, Cchairperson of Parliamentary Women's Caucus, and Roseby Gadama said the caucus was geared at sensitizing communities in the country on laws that were enacted in Parliament to protect young people against all forms of sexual crimes and exploitation.

“As lawmakers, we set a recommended age at which one can get married, however what is happening in some areas, especially in the rural areas is not the case. As such, we would like chiefs as well as parents to help us to enforce these laws as we do not want to lose our future leaders.

“Let us not condone cultural beliefs such as kusasa fumbi, chimwanamayi and fisi as they are fueling early pregnancies and child marriages,’’ said Gadama.

She also pleaded with chiefs and parents in Mangochi to help girls that dropped out of school due to pregnancy to go back, so that no one is left behind on education.

District Commissioner for Mangochi, Dr. Smart Gwedemula said the council will continue to mobilize chiefs in the district to discourage child marriages so that girls should not rush into marriages.

“In our 2024 to 2030 District Development Plan, we outlined guidelines to help in the fight against early pregnancies, I therefore urge all chiefs to have effective bylaws to help in winning this fight,” said Gwedemula.

Senior Chief Katuli commended the parliamentary caucus for visiting his area, saying it brought the much needed awareness to his subordinates on issues of early pregnancies and child marriages.

“We thank Oxfam and the parliamentary caucus for paying us a visit. We promise to remain committed in the fight for the bright future of our children,’’ said Katuli.