Over 16,000 girls drop out of school every year, only 27 percent attain grade 12

More than sixteen thousand girls drop out of school every year in Zambia due to early marriages and teenage pregnancies, says the Forum for African Women Educationalist Zambia (FAWEZA).

FAWEZA Chief Executive Director, Costern Kanchele, has noted the need to increase advocacy by all stakeholders in changing the mindset of youths especially the girl child that are deprived the right to school as a result of early marriages and teenage pregnancies.

Kanchele in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday also revealed that only 27 percent in the country try to complete grade 12 in Zambia despite high number of girls enroll in school.

“Lack of Information among young girls concerning Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) has contributed to high level of early marriages hence the need for more advocacy among stakeholders,” He said.

Kanchele said the situation of early marriages and teenage pregnancies are huge hinderence to a girl child in attaining formal education.

“Media Houses must use their power of informing, entertaining and educating the nation to advocate for girl child rights if the early marriages and teenage pregnancies is to be reduced,” he said.

Kanchele said there is need for the media houses to identify effects that make youths vulnerable and effectively advocate for the change that is needed for the marginalized groups such as a girl child.

FAWEZA through the Make way project, is working with SAVE the Environment and People’s Agency- SEPA in Zambezi District and Copperbelt Health Education (CHEP) in Kitwe as implementing partners.

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