GOVT LOSING MWK50 BILLION YEARLY TO CHILD MARRIAGES

By Kenson McCloud 

Government says it is losing about MWK50 Billion every year, to low attainment to education for girls and child marriages.

This was disclosed during a Breakthrough Action visit to one of its impact areas in group village Malata under Traditional Authority Makhwira in Chikwawa. 

According to Director of Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, McKnight Kalanda, there's an opportunity cost if girls are not educated because of getting married early.

"Communities need to appreciate that while they may use poverty as an excuse to encourage girls to marry, in the process they are creating more ploblems that affect the economy of the country," said Kalanda. 

However commended Breakthrough Action for igniting a spark on mindset change among communities in Chikwawa on issues of child marriages.

Kalanda  then appealed for continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that the vice is dealt with in the country. 

Breakthrough Action is being implemented in Chikwawa and Machinga districts with the support from USAID.