Kachindamoto wants Malawi marriage age raised to 21: ‘Girls should complete university education’

Senior Chief Kachindamoto of Dedza has asked government to consider reviewing the marriage age from 18 to 21 years in order for girls to complete university education.

Snr Chief Kachindamoto says education should be key to ending child marriages lest it be a losing battle.

She made the observation Tuesday at her headquarters in Mtakataka when United Nation Women(UNW) delegation visited her area to appreciate HE4SHE initiative being implemented in thearea.

Kachindamoto said that she was aware that the marriage act was recently reviewed by parliamentby amending the marriage from 16 to 18 years saying this is having negative progression for girlchild to continue with her education.

it has been observed that most of girls when they reach 18, are rushing into getting marriedinstead of continuing with education at university level. My suggestion to government is that the marriage age should be pushed to 21 in order enable the girl child to finish her university education,” she suggested.

Kachindamoto said at the age of 21, a girl could be allowed to make a firm decision about hermarriage and be able to take care of her family.

She expressed worry that most girls are failing to access education due to long distances as a result the area is registering a number of dropouts.

“I wish to appeal to well-wishers to consider constructing girl’s hotels in most community day secondary schools in our area so that the issues of accessibility should be a thing of the past.” Senior Chief pointed out.

She explained that once hostels are provided cases of teen age pregnancies could be reduced since most of the are coming from rented houses where girls lack protection and control.

Kachindamoto mot said her area need a vocational skills centre to enable boys and girls acquired different skills which could enable them to self- reliant.

She said the provision of such facilities could help to reduce an employment levels among the youth in the area.

United Nations Women (UNW) Executive Board President, Ivana Pajevic appealed to parents and guardians to view education as a tool to the development of their children.

She said education plays a very critical role to the upbringing of every child hence the need toprovide them with necessary support.

There are indeed some challenges parents are facing to provide better quality education for their children but this should not be viewed as set back but as an opportunity to strive for more within their capabilities,” Pajevic explained.

Chairperson of Dedza District Council, Councillor Leonard Selevasi said the council is keen to ensuring that its development plans include programme aim at addressing child marriages.

He said child marriage have negative impact to the development of the districts hence the need to safeguard against it.

Chiefs, religious leaders, community policing members and child protection workers have joined forces to spearhead awareness among communities on the dangers of promoting child marriages in their areas.

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nganya
nganya
5 years ago

18 yomweyo yakwana, kwinako tinapo apa.

Thubwe
Thubwe
5 years ago

The chief wont read your comments anyway. Komabe 21 mmm ai zachuluka

#DzukaniAmalawi
#DzukaniAmalawi
5 years ago

Increasing legal age for marriage to 21 won’t solve the problem. It will infringe on their human rights to choice. 18 is legal age to vote so the assumption is that they’re now grown ups to make an informed choice. In fact youths of today are maturing earlier than in the old days. The focus then should be on awareness than to increase consent legal age. Otherwise Malawi legal system won’t cope with arresting those defying the law. Already at 36 they are becoming grandparents.

Hetherwick
Hetherwick
5 years ago

RAISING AGE LIMIT IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HERE. LET US DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM HERE BEFORE TAMPERING WITH THE AGE LIMIT. FOR INSTANCE, YOU RAISED FROM 16 TO 18 YEARS, WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT. YOU ARE NOW RAISING TO 21 YEARS. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE? THE UN MEMBER DELEGATION SHOULD ALSO LOOK INTO THESE PARAMETERS WITHOUT JUST ENDORCING ISSUES IN WRITING.

Pedegu
Pedegu
5 years ago

Senior Chief,you started well but you are now going too far.Ana amasiku ano pofika 21 atadziwa chilichonse.Don’t you know that @ 18 years of age akumakhala atapanga graduate from college ayambanso ntchito?Don’t think maganizo anu azingomveka,musakomedwe Mai.Make to ake azitenga mimba asanakwatire kudikira 21 years.18 ilibwino kutengera mmene alili masiku ano.Kaletu 18 yrs ndiimene amakayamba from 1 kikkkkkkk

Shaft Sachapandimadzi
Shaft Sachapandimadzi
5 years ago

Nde zachambatu zimenezo. Instead of considering to reduce it to 14 you are busy thinking of 21. Shame on you!!!

Chatsalira
Chatsalira
5 years ago

These are some of the issues and ills in our society that Chiefs should be tackling.
Shame to the Chiefs who are bent on handclapping for politicians instead of uplifting their subjects.
Kudos to Chief Kachindamoto.

Alfred
Alfred
5 years ago

she is the only chief who has something wise to say. Unlike the others who are involved in politics. Keep it up Mai.

Fire Lovemaker
Fire Lovemaker
5 years ago

Kodi amayi inu mukuganiza kuti ife tizichindandana ndi Moto? tisiireni ana a zaka 16 wo tigwire nawo ntchito.

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