Zambia’s commitment to ending child, early and forced marriage on the continent of Africa is demonstrated at the highest level.
Mrs Regina C. Boma Phiri, Chargé d’Affaires at Zambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, made her remarks at high level side event co-organized by Zambia, Burkina Faso, Canada, Egypt and Italy, in partnership with the European Union, UNFPA and UNICEF under the theme “Harmful practices : Catalyzing Innovation to End Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage”. The event was held on the margins of the 67th Session of the Commission on Status of Women at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The High-Level Panel was aimed at providing a platform for key stakeholders to galvanize action towards towards the elimination of harmful practices as well as to discuss the potential of innovation and technological change to achieve gender equality and ultimately, the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development,
Mrs Phiri reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment towards ending Child Marriage in Africa, demonstrated at the highest level, with President Hakainde Hichilema taking up the mantle as the African Union as Champion on Ending Child Marriage.
She added that Zambia had continued to implement the National Strategy on ending child marriage using a multi sectoral approach that seeks to inter alia ensure that girls that remain in school.
“This has has been re-enforced by the recently introduced free education policy for primary and secondary schooling,” Mrs Phiri said. “Other key programmes include economic empowerment programmes for vulnerable households, school based menstrual hygiene programmes and working with the traditional leaders, as critical agents of change in our efforts to eliminate Child Marriage. In that regard, we have continued to strengthen community-based approaches such community dialogues, men and boys engagement, guidance and counselling of adolescents, among others.”
The Chargé d’Affaires said progress had been made towards the elimination of Child, early and forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation globally but the rate of progress in some regions has been remarkably slow, exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“We look forward to a continued spirit of global partnership and commitment to eliminate Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation on the road to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said Mrs Phiri.