By Onishias Maamba in Chipata
Eastern Province has come under attack after Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu made startling revelations that 5, 000 girls had become pregnant in three months.
Social media has been taken by storm with more people accusing people from Eastern province of loving sex so much.
But Health Authorities in Chipata are pointing to child marriages.
Reacting to recent statistics indicating that over 5,000 teenage pregnancies were recorded from January-September 2018, acting Chipata District Health Director (DHD), Charles Fanaka attributed the problem to rampant child marriages.
This time the stats are coming from an expert.
Dr Fanaka said the statistics are from three districts namely, Chipangali, Kasenengwa and Chipata and is yet to be disaggregated.
He indicated that his office is concerned because statistics reveal that 31% of the cases account for girls below the age of 20 who were pregnant.
“This is alarming. I’m calling for a multi-sectoral approach aimed at finding lasting solutions to the problem. Our women should delay child birth, this will put them in a better position to positively contribute to the development of the country.
“Currently, most women in the province are married at the age of 17. It is a matter that should concern everyone,” he said.
He has revealed that the office of District Commissioner in Chipata is working with various stakeholders in ensuring that the scourge is addressed.
