Presidents Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Peter Mutharika of Malawi have pledged to support efforts in ending child marriage in Africa by 2030.
They made the pledge ahead of the opening of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly together with the African Union Social Affairs Commissioner Amira Elfadil at an End Child Marriage event organised by UN Women in New York .
President Lungu acknowledged that the problem is ongoing
in Africa and girls who marry young have been denied their rights.
This point was buttressed by President Mutharika who said
every child must be empowered to reach their highest potential in life.
After a two-year parliamentary process and subsequent
approval in February, President Peter Mutharika signed a constitutional
amendment in April this year quashing a previous practice where minors aged 15
years and above can marry with consent from their parents.
On his part, President Museveni said freedom of choice
will come only if girls can be independent of parents and husbands, adding that,
policies against the practice are being implemented and the goal will be
attained.
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