Youth Response for Social Change, an NGO, nullified 320 child marriages across six traditional authorities in Machinga from 2021 to 2024, aiming to protect girls from sexual abuse and gender-based violence associated with child marriages.
Triza Nyirenda, the NGO’s Communication Coordinator, explained that the organization achieved this through its “Social Transformation for Ending Child Marriages” project, funded by USAID. Child marriages were nullified in traditional authorities, including Nyambi, Mizinga, Chikweo, Mchinguza, and Paramount Chief Kawinga’s jurisdiction.
Of the 320 girls, 65 were referred to vocational training to support their livelihoods, while the rest returned to school. Nyirenda urged the government and other organizations to join efforts to end child marriages and support girls with educational resources to ensure they continue their education.
“From 2021 to this year, Youth Response for Social Change nullified 320 marriages in Machinga. This is an alarming figure,” Nyirenda said.
Machinga Police Station’s Community Policing Coordinator, Sub Inspector Masautso Katemera, highlighted that poverty and cultural practices contribute to child marriages in Machinga. He commended Youth Response for its efforts, adding that the police are also engaging communities to address the harmful effects of child marriages.
