Youth-Led Initiative Tackles Child Marriage in Nsanje, Malawi

DRP-trained youth reporter Frank Thomas at Gaka FM edits a weekly radio program produced for youth, by youth, about youth.

(July 16, 2024) A local radio program has sparked a grassroots movement to combat child marriage in Malawi's Nsanje District.

Two weeks after Gaka FM aired a program discussing the role of youth in stopping child marriages, Akonda Wilson from Chambuluka village took action, forming the Chambuluka Listeners Club.

Wilson, who says he was inspired by the broadcast, contacted the station's youth mentor Chawama Jere to share his initiative. The newly formed club, which already boasts 35 members, has set its sights on eradicating child marriages in the area.

Since its inception in April, the Chambuluka Listeners Club has made significant strides. Wilson reports that the group has successfully identified and reported at least two cases of child marriage to the local child protection officer.

As a result of their intervention, the parents involved were warned about potential fines, leading to the dissolution of these marriages. This development comes at a crucial time for Malawi, which has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally.

In 2012, one in every two girls in the country was married before the age of 18, contributing to high school dropout rates and limited opportunities for young women.

The Chambuluka Listeners Club's efforts align with broader initiatives in Malawi to combat child marriage. In 2015, the country passed the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act, raising the minimum age of marriage without parental consent to 18. This legislative change, coupled with grassroots efforts like Wilson's club, represents a significant step forward in protecting the rights and futures of Malawi's youth.