Funding gaps delay response to child marriage cases

Funding shortages are delaying efforts to protect girls from child marriage in Malawi, with police and child protection officers sometimes struggling to reach affected communities.

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Thom Navicha disclosed the challenge on Tuesday during the commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child at Chidzenje Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority Lukwa in Kasungu District.

Navicha said inadequate financial resources are affecting interventions against child marriage, with limited funding making it difficult for police and child protection officers to travel to communities and respond to cases promptly.

She appealed to local and international organisations to support government efforts by financing activities aimed at ending child marriage.

The minister also urged civil servants to implement existing policies designed to protect girls and address barriers that prevent them from completing their education.

Navicha said 38 percent of girls in Malawi were affected by child marriage, while Kasungu had recorded more than 5,000 cases involving child marriages and teenage pregnancies this year.

She said government is implementing measures to improve girls’ access to education, including free primary and secondary education and Constituency Development Fund bursaries.

Navicha added that deliberate measures will be introduced to reduce school dropouts and prevent girls from being forced into early marriages.

Malawi Human Rights Commission Executive Secretary Habiba Osman said the commission will continue raising awareness in communities about issues affecting girls.

Osman said ending child marriage requires collective efforts from parents, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to ensure girls are protected and allowed to complete their education.

Meanwhile, World Vision Director of Advocacy and External Engagement Charles Gwengwe said non-governmental organisations are assessing child marriage figures to guide the planning of interventions.

The commemoration brought together children, government officials, politicians, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, traditional leaders and parents under the theme “Ending Child Marriage is Everyone’s Responsibility”