The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s renewed call for decisive action to end child marriage.
President Hichilema, who serves as the African Union (AU) Champion on Ending Child Marriage, made the call on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a statement issued by NGOCC board chairperson Beauty Katebe, she notes that while Zambia has made progress in reducing child marriage prevalence from 29% in 2018 to 23.9% in 2024, more work remains.
Ms. Katebee has cited Marriage Act No. 13 of 2023, which prohibits child marriage in both traditional and statutory settings, provides a crucial legal foundation for ongoing efforts.
She has further emphasized that child marriage is a significant human rights concern with serious social, health, and economic consequences.
The NGOCC has further urged the government to demonstrate commitment by increasing resource allocation, recommending that the 2027 Budget prioritize areas most affected by child marriage to support social behavioral change programs, reporting mechanisms, remedial interventions, and nationwide consolidation of existing measures.
By Niza Vomo
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