Government Retrieves 19 Girls From Early Marriages In Shiwang’andu District

The government has retrieved 19 girls from forced marriages out of a total of 22 girls who were married off by their parents and guardians in Shiwang’andu `district.

Shiwang’andu Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Kalale Katele says the issue of early marriage is rife in the district adding that his office has managed has to successfully reintroduce all 19 girls back into School.

“We have a big problem in this school especially when it comes to the withdraw of girl children who are forced into early marriage and so far, we have managed to withdraw 19 girls out of 22 who were married off by their parents,” said Mr. Katele.

Mr. Katele further said that at Musonko Primary School 8 pupils all in Grade 7 have recently fallen pregnant.

The DEBS further disclosed that the government has brought on board a number of cooperating partners that are assisting vulnerable children.

He said one of the cooperation partners, Campaign for Female Education ( CAMFED) has sponsored 1,125 girls , while under a programme of Keeping Girls in Schools ( KGS) 244 are being sponsored. Mr. Katele said 2, 000 girls are expected to be under KGS sponsorship.