By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Response Network Country Director Mutukwa Matengenya says the current state of child protection laws in Zambia is sufficient to protect
young girls, stating that the legal framework in place is effective in combating abuse, including preventing early pregnancies.
Mr. Matengenya however stated that the legal system alone cannot address the issue effectively without changing harmful societal views that
contribute to child marriages and early pregnancies.
He says this remains a challenge in rural areas, where abuse and child marriages are often handled internally within families rather than being reported to authorities, preventing justice from being served and allowing perpetrators to escape punishment.
According to the 2024 Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS), a staggering 2,600 girls between the ages of 15 and 18 are either currently pregnant or have been pregnant before, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.
He points out that while Zambia has established laws to protect children from abuse and exploitation, the continued prevalence of child marriages
and other harmful practices shows that enforcement and societal change are still lacking.
He stated that while the legal framework is in place, its effectiveness is diminished if communities continue to uphold traditional norms that
support child marriages and the concealment of abuse, which directly contribute to early pregnancies.
