MALAWI Youth Advocates Tackle Early Marriages And Teen Pregnancies In Mchinji 

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi

Youth advocates under iNkosi Zulu in Mchinji District have identified early marriages and teenage pregnancies as the leading causes of school dropouts among children in Chimbadzo Village.

Chairperson for iNkosi Zulu Shifters, Shaibu Ajida, revealed that during the last academic calendar, 26 out of 60 pupils from Chimbadzo Village who were enrolled at Zulu Primary School dropped out due to cultural practices and the rise of early marriages and teenage pregnancies. He said harmful traditions continue to deny children especially girls their right to education and a better future.

“Our young girls are leaving school too early because of harmful traditions and pregnancies. We need collective action to keep them in class and give them a better future,” Ajida said.

Traditional leader iNkosi Zulu expressed concern over the increasing rate of teenage pregnancies within his area, calling for stronger community collaboration to address the issue.

“This problem is robbing our children of their future. We must all take responsibility and end these harmful practices,” he said.

Mchinji Police Station Officer In-Charge, Micklina Medi, warned that the law will deal firmly with anyone involved in child abuse or forced marriages. Supporting the call, Mchinji District Council Principal Education Officer, Samson Kawiya, pledged the council’s commitment to initiatives that promote child education and protect vulnerable learners.

Meanwhile, youth groups known as Shifters from Traditional Authorities Zulu, Mlonyeni, and Mavwere have launched a “Back to School with Power” campaign aimed at ending teenage pregnancies and promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and HIV awareness in their communities.

The initiative is being implemented with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the SRHR – HIV Knows No Borders Project, which seeks to empower young people with information and opportunities to safeguard their health and education.