Chieftainess Shimukunami warns against early marriages

PARENTS should not marry off their children at a tender age, Chieftainess Shimukunami of the Lamba speaking people of Lufwanyama district has warned.

Speaking during the Makalakala traditional ceremony of the Lamba speaking people of chief Mulonga in Mushindamo district, the traditional leader observed that child marriage derails the development as it involves both girls and boys who are future leaders.

She said children ought to be in school and not to be married off. “Government has done its part by building schools. It is therefore incumbent upon you, our parents to ensure that you take these children to school,” the traditional leader said.

She also called on other traditional leaders in the country to remain vigilant and sensitise their subjects on the negative effects of early marriages.

She said to combat the vice, there is need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders so that the children are given an opportunity to grow and contribute to national development.

She noted that education is key to development hence the need for parents with children who dropped out of school due various reasons, to take their children back to school.

“And that is why government has introduced the re-entry policy so that children that drop out of school could be retained back to school and continue with their education,’’ she added.