Breaking the Cycle: The Harsh Reality of Child Marriage in Zambia

💔Over 200 million women worldwide have been married off before the age of 15, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and preventing them from accessing education.

🚫Child marriage is technically illegal in Zambia, but enforcement of the law is rare, leading to thousands of young girls at risk of being married off under the age of 18.

👧👧👧👧👧Education is a powerful tool in ending child marriage, as girls who stay in school are less likely to get married at an early age.

🏥Lack of access to healthcare is a significant challenge for child brides, as teenage girls who are not physically mature are at a higher risk of complications during childbirth.

🌍Ending child marriage requires a multi-faceted approach, including local and national efforts to change cultural norms, improve access to education and healthcare, and empower girls and women.

How many girls in Zambia are at risk of child marriage?

—Thousands of girls in Zambia are at risk of being married off under the age of 18.

Is child marriage legal in Zambia?

—Technically, child marriage is illegal in Zambia, but enforcement of the law is rare.

What are the consequences of child marriage?

—Child marriage perpetuates a cycle of poverty, deprives girls of education, and puts them at higher risk of complications during childbirth.

How can education help in ending child marriage?

—Staying in school decreases the likelihood of girls getting married at an early age and empowers them to make informed choices about their future.

What is needed to end child marriage in Zambia?

—Ending child marriage requires a comprehensive approach, including changing cultural norms, improving access to education and healthcare, and empowering girls and women.

00:01Intro: Child marriage is a global issue that affects millions of girls, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and preventing them from accessing education.

02:57The practice of child marriage is highest in rural areas of Zambia, where poverty and lack of education contribute to its persistence.

06:08Girls who are married off at a young age often face a higher risk of complications during childbirth due to their physical immaturity.

10:01Access to healthcare is a major challenge for child brides, as many villages are located far from medical facilities.

16:48Efforts to end child marriage in Zambia are being led by local organizations and the government, but more needs to be done to break the cycle.