At least 75 girls were rescued from child marriages between 2020 and 2022 in the area of Traditional Authority Symon in Neno district.
Chairperson for Matope Village Development Committee Magret Nkhalamba disclosed this on Tuesday during the phasing out of World Vision organisation’s project in the lower Neno.
She revealed that most girls were married off by their parents; a development which led to the increase in school dropout cases among young girls.
However, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati hailed the organisation for helping government in implementation Sustainable Development Goals through its project.
She called for mindset change in the promotion of girl child education while warning traditional leaders and parents who marry off their children to stop the vice.
In his remarks, World Vision Director of Programs Charles Chimombo thanked government for its efforts in supporting the implementation of the project in lower Neno for 15 years.
He has since urged communities sorrounding Matope area and Neno District Council to continue from where they have stopped for sustainability of the projects.
World Vision started implementing its project in 2007 in the lower Neno and has been helping in promoting Education, Ending Child Marriages, Water and Sanitation, among others.
