Zambia: bringing community members together to end child marriage.

In Zambia, the Phoenix Foundation started their global pledging week with a stakeholder engagement meeting. Participants included faith leaders, representatives from the Ministries of Education and Health, the One Stop Center, pupils from primary and secondary schools, and community members. Stakeholders discussed the causes, effects, and barriers to addressing child marriage and shared practical recommendations to tackle the issue.

Speaking to ISO FM 93.5 community radio station in Muchinga Province,  Executive Director Kelvin Nsekwila said the campaign will “create a unified voice against this harmful practice” and stated that “every child deserves the chance to stay in school and build a future free from the burdens of child marriage. Together we can break this cycle”.

Activities in Zambia throughout the week include school and community events, and they will be working with traditional and faith leaders, educators, civil leaders and parents as well as with girls and boys to secure pledges against child marriage with a main event on Thursday 5th December.