Malawi: Communities and Schools Strengthen Action to End Child Marriage

As part of the 100 Days of Action to End Child Marriage, community leaders, local organisations, and schools in Malawi are coming together to strengthen prevention, reporting, and collective responsibility for protecting children’s rights.

On 3 January 2026, a community engagement meeting was held under the leadership of Group Headman Sadulira, in collaboration with Namangwe Community Based Organisation and Kamamina Youth Club. The engagement brought together community members and the Village Child Protection Committee to raise awareness of child marriage and to develop a shared action plan for addressing the practice at the local level.

The discussion focused on identifying the root causes of child marriage in the community, strengthening reporting and monitoring mechanisms, and reinforcing the role of community structures in safeguarding children. As an outcome of the session, 17 members of the Village Child Protection Committee took a pledge to actively protect children’s rights and to respond to cases of child marriage in their localities.

Building on this community-led action, a school-based pledging event was held on 6 January 2026 at Tanthwe Primary School. Students and teachers came together as part of the 100 Days of Action to affirm their commitment to preventing child marriage and supporting girls’ education.

During the school engagement, participants discussed practical steps to strengthen child protection within the school environment. Key recommendations included the immediate reporting of identified cases of child marriage, closer collaboration with school committees, and the development and enforcement of by-laws to ensure the safety of girls and uphold their rights. A total of 162 students took the pledge, signalling strong support for sustained action within the school community.

Together, these community and school engagements reflect the importance of coordinated action across local leadership, civil society, and education systems. By strengthening reporting pathways, engaging children and adults alike, and building shared accountability, communities in Malawi are taking meaningful steps toward a future where every child can grow, learn, and thrive free from early and forced marriage.