On 9 March 2025, YONECO Culture Troupe conducted a Theatre for Development (#TfD) activity to raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage and to encourage collective community action in safeguarding children’s rights in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Chikowi, Zomba.
During the interactive session, participants openly discussed key drivers of child marriage in the area, including poverty, entrenched cultural norms, and limited access to education. The discussion also focused on the negative consequences of child marriage, such as school dropouts, teen pregnancies, Gender-Based Violence (#GBV), and long-term health complications for young girls.
During the session, parents, guardians and traditional leaders were encouraged to take active roles in protecting the rights of children.
Community members were urged to report cases of child marriage through the confidential toll-free lines that are operated by YONECO’s Tithandizane Helpline Services.
#EndChildMarriage #ChildProtection #ChildCare
