Faith leaders engaged in reducing child marriages & Covid-19 spread

An inter-ministerial national social mobilization committee (NSMC) whose secretariat is ministry of information, civic education and communications technology, Tuesday 1 July 2020 opened a 3day message development workshop for faith leaders in Salima with an aim of reducing child marriages and preventing Covid-19 spread.

The messages will also cover themes on maternal health, social accountability, and protection of physically vulnerable children including children with albinism.

Launching the workshop, director of information Mzati Nkolokosa noted forcing children into early marriages is increasing poverty levels at both household and community levels.

He challenged faith leaders to produce strong messages that would be linked to scriptures to reverse the trend.

The director hoped that as a team, all the stakeholders, faith, traditional and political leaders including government workers, can end early child marriages.

The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) Chairperson Dr Patrick Thawale, in his remarks said the the workshop will go a long way in addressing issues affecting the youth.

Dr Thawale said women play a major role in the community and child brides are not yet prepared to be mothers. “We know child marriage is the big barrier to development.”

Source:Mana