Child marriages strike hard in Zomba

The number of school dropouts resulting from child marriages is reportedly increasing in Zomba-Malosa, with an estimated total of 195 cases recorded in the past year.

This situation has raised concerns for the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, who describes it as alarming and emphasizes the necessity for serious attention.

During the launch of a Girls Academy in the region, Member of Parliament Grace Kwelepeta indicated that these figures pertain to the period from January 2025 to January 2026, highlighting the urgent need for local authorities and organizations to take action and provide support to address this issue.

Mahmud Ensari, the Founder and Director of the Dreams of Children Family Girls Academy, stated that the establishment of the school was intended to refocus girls’ attention on their education.

In the meantime, Senior Chief Malemia has expressed the need for the verification of these figures, noting that the results of certain surveys must be confirmed prior to making any announcements.