Education
Source: Zambia Daily Mail Statistics show that one in three girls around the world is denied an education due to poverty, violence, discrimination and harmful traditional practices.
Child marriage being one key barrier to education and a violation of human rights whether it happens to a girl or a boy, represents one of the prevalent forms of sexual abuse and exploitation.
Harmful consequences of early marriage has resulted into the separation of victims from family and friends, as well as lack of freedom to interact with peers and participate in community activities, and decreased opportunities for education too.
It has also bonded labour or enslavement, commercial sexual exploitation and violence against the victims. Child marriage is often the product of gender discrimination that risks the development, protection of children and their participation in activities of their communities.
since 1996 Plan International Zambia has been working with children and their families in communities of Luapula, Eastern, Central and Lusaka provinces so as to reach out to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
The organisation's child protection manager, Ernest Mwenya says that his organisation is working with children and young people in addressing challenges they face.
"My organisation has reiterated its commitment in ensuring that girls in the country are protected from any form of abuse that hinders them form progressing in life." Mr Mwenya said.
Speaking during a media workshop on Child Protection in Lusaka recently, he said that 42 percent of girls in Zambia marry before the age of 18.
"Child marriage has continued to violate girls' rights, curtail their education, harm their health and limit their future," he said.
Mr Mwenya states that child marriage marks the end of the girl's education as it mostly deprives them of the opportunity to reach full potential in life.
He says through a global programme called "Because am a girl", his organisation is trying its level best to promote girls' participation in matters that affect them.
In this regard, Plan International Zambia is working hand-in-hand with the police in dismantling structures that make girls objects of abuse.
The organisation's communications manager, Lazarus Mwale, feels girls under the age of 18 should not be subjected to teachings of how to "handle a husband." This, he argues is one of the sure ways to end early marriages.
"To actively engage girls in programmes to develop a safe social environment, Plan works with the government through relevant ministries; local and international Non-Governmental Organisations to provide various services.
"This is to help girls focus on education and actions to end child marriages," Mr Mwale said.
He said Plan Zambia is committed to the reduction of child marriages through engaging government and traditional leaders.
"By supporting initiatives that will try to tackle the root causes of child marriages, such as poverty and harmful traditional practices, this will help us ensure that girls become better citizens of this country" he said.
However, Plan Zambia is careful not to distort the country's rich culture, but rather wants to preserve traditional practices that are friendly to the advancement of girl children's life endeavours.
He explained that Chinamwali (girls' initiation ceremony) is a good traditional practice when done at an appropriate time.
Mr Mwale pointed out that topics on how to handle a man (husband) should be suspended until such a time when a young woman is ready for such kind of counsel.
"Plan Zambia is advocating for a legal framework that will protect children from being married off at a tender age because early marriages subjects children to a lot of hardships," he said.
On the other hand, Plan Zambia is working on a campaign called 18+ that aims at significantly reducing and eventually eliminating child marriage.
Recently, the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, with support from other government ministries, cooperating partners, and civil society, embarked on a nationwide campaign to end child marriages in Zambia.
The first of the planned provincial-based campaigns took place in Luangeni Village in Paramount Chief Mpezeni's area in Eastern Province.
Eastern Province has Zambia's highest rate of girls married off before the age of 18 at fifty percent.
The national launch was led by First Lady Christine Kaseba and the programme included home visitations to couples affected by child marriages.
Dr Kaseba counselled affected girls and boys to consider going back to school and acquire skills to empower themselves economically.
"Government will help you [young couples], decide what support you need - but you should know that education is priority as it will help you have a bright future. Various ministries will look into your needs and help you according to your needs." she said.
Dr Kaseba, in her speech, highlighted that girls who are victims of child marriages are among those who are least educated, poorest, and living in rural areas.
She added that this scourge hinders development and slows down the attainment of Millennium Development Goals.