Zambia highlights progress against child marriage at UN women’s commission

Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing justice for women and girls, highlighting progress in strengthening legal and policy frameworks to protect girls and improve access to justice.

Beatrice Chilomo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, said the country had reduced child marriage prevalence from 29 percent in 2018 to 23.9% in 2024.

Chilomo made the remarks at a side event titled “From Protection to Empowerment: Advancing Justice for Adolescent Girls to End Child Marriages”, held on the margins of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York.

According to the the statement, the event was co-hosted by Zambia, the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Girls Not Brides, and Zonta International.

She credited progress to the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema, noting Zambia’s role as African Union Champion for girls’ rights.

“Key legal reforms including the Marriage (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2023, which sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 without exceptions and voids all marriages involving individuals under 18,” Chilomo said.

She also highlighted the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022, which domesticates international conventions and prohibits harmful practices.

This Chilomo said these reforms aligned with Zambia’s broader national development agenda under the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which prioritises gender equality, social protection, and inclusive development.

“Complementary measures such as the Education Act of 2011 and the Government’s Re-entry Policy continue to support girls’ education and empowerment, recognising education as a critical pathway for preventing child marriage,” she added.

Meanwhile, Namatama Njekwa, First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Permanent Mission of Zambia in Washington, said the nation’s participation at CSW70 underscored its commitment to strengthening justice systems and advancing the rights of women and girls globally.

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