By Moses Magadza

The SADC Parliamentary Forum has urged governments, traditional leaders and development partners across the region to intensify efforts to end child marriage, saying that the practice is a violation of human rights that jinxes socio-economic development.

Ms Boemo Sekgoma, the SADC PF Secretary General, made the call last week in remarks made on her behalf by Mrs Clare Musanda, a Program Manager at the SADC PF, at the inaugural public lecture on the role of traditional leaders in ending Child Marriage, held at the University of Zambia.

Ms Sekgoma said the Forum’s work is anchored in the promotion of human rights for all citizens of the region.

“A golden thread that runs through the work of the SADC Parliamentary Forum is the desire to promote the full enjoyment of human rights by all SADC citizens,” she said, adding that SADC parliamentarians consider this their “sacrosanct duty.”

The SG expressed concern that child marriage remains widespread across Southern Africa, noting that an estimated 26% of girls in the region are married before the age of 18.

“We must describe the challenge for what it is: girls are disproportionately affected,” she said.

She warned, “Regrettably, globally more than 41,000 girls are married while still children, often before they are physically and emotionally ready to become wives and mothers.”

The consequences, she noted, are severe and include early pregnancy and poor health outcomes, to school dropout, diminished lifetime earnings and entrenched poverty.

“Child brides are more likely to experience intimate partner violence, have restricted physical mobility and limited decision-making ability,” she said.

“They may be disempowered in ways that deprive them of their basic rights to health, education, equality, non-discrimination, and freedom from violence and exploitation.”

Ms Sekgoma highlighted the broader economic repercussions and cited estimates that countries may lose up to 1% of their economic base due to child marriage. Ending the practice, she added, could help countries realise the demographic dividend and improve national productivity.

She reiterated the significance of the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage, describing it as a “practical tool” to support Member States in domesticating international and regional standards.

The Forum also expressed gratitude to Sweden for supporting the development and monitoring of the Model Law through the SRHR, HIV & AIDS Governance Project.

“Through this support, parliamentarians can undertake advocacy activities, including around budgeting for SRHR,” the SG said.

She emphasised that ending child marriage requires a unified, multisectoral response.

“Traditional leaders, as custodians of cultural practices, are key stakeholders… They lead in ensuring that their people discard harmful cultural practices and emphasise the positive ones,” she noted.

A major highlight of the event was the tribute paid to the late Chief Theresa Kachindamoto of Malawi, celebrated regionally and globally for her courageous stance against child marriage.

Ms Sekgoma hailed her as a “formidable trailblazer” whose leadership significantly shaped the development of the SADC Model Law.

“Her work gave us the privilege of having a strong pillar of support as we brainstormed what form the Model Law should take… May she continue to rest in power,” she said.

She also recognised the work of other traditional leaders in Zambia and across the region, specifically mentioning HRH Chief Madzimawe, HRH Chieftainess Kawaza and HRH Chief Chamuka.

“The work of the Forum has been made easier because we have stood on the shoulders of giants, our traditional leaders. They have been bold and taken the bull by its horns in their quest to contribute to ending child marriage,” she said.

The SG announced that SADC PF, working with partners, has developed a Digital Dashboard to monitor the domestication of the Model Law in Member States. The tool will help parliamentarians and stakeholders track indicators and support evidence-based advocacy.

“Final work is being done before it can be rolled out for use,” she said.

The public lecture, attended by academics, lawmakers, traditional leaders, students and civil society, marked the beginning of a broader regional effort to honour Chief Kachindamoto’s legacy through continued advocacy, research and community engagement on ending child marriage.

• Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.