In Zambia’s Eastern Province, children as low as the age of 11 are married off due to a harmful tradition that persists, threatening the future of young girls.

Child marriage, often driven by poverty and social norms, denies girls their childhood and puts them at risk of early pregnancy.

However, there is anticipated hope for change as community leaders, activists, and government officials have gathered to challenge these harmful norms and traditions and promote education as the key to empowerment.

By Samuel Khwawe