Child marriage is defined as the legal marriage or informal union before the age of 18. It has globally been identified as one of the major detriments to development and a major impediment to the realization of human rights. Zambia has not been spared from this indicating that 31 per cent of women marry before their 18th birthday. Poverty is one of the issues that lead to marrying off young girls make it rare for girl children to further themselves in education. Early child marriage van lead to complications in child bearing which also results to increased number of child mortality.  In Rufunsa district, the Rural Women’s Assembly has embarked on a sensitization program to educate the community on the dangers and legal consequences of marrying off young girls before they reach eighteen years. Led by Dorcas Shonga, RWA Rufunsa held a community engagement meeting to raise awareness about the dangers of early marriage.

Ms. Shonga encouraged community members to protect children by reporting cases of child marriage, supporting girls to remain in school, and promoting education as a pathway to a brighter future. 

She emphasized that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility and called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to work together to end early marriages.

“We know and hear what our children do outside but we always shield them. The moment we hear that our children are not moving in the right direction, you as parents should question your girl child who is misleading her. As a family I have to go and discuss the matter with the boy’s family why they want to mislead my daughter. Let’s encourage our children that education will make them live better lives in future.

They say if the child is not heeding to our instructions, it’s better to involve the police,” Dorcas stressed.

The meeting was not only about women, but also involved the men who made great contribution on how early marriages can be stopped.

“It can be better that from this program we come up with committees that will allow us to engage our children and teach them the ways of life, the advantages of getting an education as some do not know the meaning of getting educated. Just like you have brought us here, we can also engage them in the same manner,” one man said

Ms. Shonga said the matter needs everyone’s commitment, including all those that did attend the meeting, saying a bigger portion is out there.

“My thinking is that, we all get involved in this matter including those that are not here, it is the biggest portion. What we are discussing, even if we say we tell them what we have discussed here, some of the things will be left out. So from where we are coming from, let us go and teach our fellows what we have learnt here,” Ms. Shonga added.

The men continued to says that when planning to have children, parents should plan for that child and how they would want their child’s education to be like.

They said many elders are not educated and children cannot see the importance of being educated. 

“The problem is many of our elders are not educated hence our children cannot see the importance. Some only get to know about education from their friends,” another gentleman said.

In Chingola district on the Copperbelt province Bernadette Malamba also talked about gender based violence GBV which is on the increase. She says as RWA in the district, they have stepped up to support victims of GBV through counseling and encouraging them to make informed decisions that will protect them from all forms of GBV.

“On GBV as RWA Chingola, we are trying to work with the young people to advocate for the community to know that GBV is a crime and where to report such cases. In Chingola we have a One Stop Center, paralegal desk and legal desk for women at the magistrate court,” Bernadette said.

She also talked about the anticipated El Nino saying it is important for farmers to prepare adequately for upcoming farming season. She says RWA continues to encourage farmers to diversify their crops through intercropping in order to secure household food basket and reduce the risks associated with unpredictable weather.