By Linda Lonjezo Moyo- PRO
Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare:
Girls Not Brides has commended the Government of Malawi for its strong leadership and bold commitment to ending child marriage, recognizing the country as a leading example in the global fight to protect girls from early and forced marriages.
The Chief Executive Officer of Girls Not Brides, Faith Mwingi-Powell, made the recommendation at a side meeting held in New York alongside the 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), during which she reaffirmed the organisation’s support for Malawi and its programmes aimed at protecting and empowering girls across the country.
During the engagement, the two sides discussed Malawi’s notable progress in addressing child marriage, including innovative strategies, strengthened coordination mechanisms, and community level campaigns. They also explored ways to accelerate action and expand partnerships to reach more girls across the country.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Honourable Mary Thom Navicha, highlighted that Malawi has made significant gains through the implementation of the National Strategy on Ending Child Marriage, including district level dissemination of the strategy, harmonised national messaging, and strengthened accountability systems.
She emphasised that sustained collaboration with organisations like Girls Not Brides is critical to ensuring the long term success of the national campaign and to protecting the rights and dignity of every girl in Malawi.
The Minister then reaffirming the Government of Malawi’s unwavering commitment to end child marriage, strengthen institutional systems, and ensure that all girls have the opportunity to learn, thrive, and fulfil their full potential.
