Early marriages, pregnancies irk Lozi chief

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 09:50:59 +0000

By DARLINGTON  KABAMBE

CHIEF Libumbu of the Lozi speaking people in Mongu, is unhappy with the rate at which girls are dropping out of school in preference for marriage. 

Chief Libumbu said this trend compounded with early pregnancies was proving to be a source of worry in his chiefdom.

This came to light yesterday when Adolescent Reproductive Health Advocacy (ARHA) Executive Director, Cassandra Matale called on him at his traditional palace.

He told Ms. Matale that he was more than willing to work with her organisation to ensure the escalating levels of teenage marriages and pregnancies in his chiefdom were stopped.

The traditional ruler said despite putting in place measures to ensure parents and guardians took back their children to school, the situation was not improving as expected. And Ms. Matale assured the chief that her organisation would double its activities aimed at improving girl-child education in the chiefdom.

She disclosed that the ARHA was implementing the adolescent and nutrition programmes in the chiefdom targeting the young people and mothers.

Western Province is one of the highest ranked areas in terms of teenage marriages and pregnancies in the country.