child marriages in zambia

CHILD MARRIAGES IN ZAMBIA

©2015 | UNLOCKING ZAMBIA’S POTENTIAL

CONSULTATIVE MEETINGW E D N E S D A Y 1 S T A P R I L 2 0 1 5

START

P O L I C Y M O N I T O R I N G A N D R E S E A R C H C E N T R E

BERNADETTE DEKA - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OPENING REMARKS

OPENING REMARKS

PMRC is a public policy think tank with a mission to ‘Unlock Zambia’s Potential’

We achieve our vision statement by:• Producing high quality, relevant and timely public policy analysis, policy monitoring and reform

proposals.• Promoting and encouraging an informed public debate on critical social and economic policy

issues.

PMRC STATED AIM• To promote public understanding through research and education• To be a source of quality data and encourage debate on social and economic policy issues• To support government machinery in recommending policy and procedures to ensure effective delivery of a

national agenda


INTRODUCTION

CHILESHE CHAUNGA - RESEARCHERINTRODUCTION

Contribute to evidence based policy

recommendation that will further prevent child marriages in Zambia.

It is a growing concern, that is timely and

relevant.

The first output in PMRC’s Social Welfare Series.

WHY CHILD MARRIAGES?


OUTLINE

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION

1

4

Preliminary findings based on desk research - Definitions1

Global perspective 2

child marriages in Zambia what do the statistics 3

Cross cutting issues identified3

Oppounities4

PMRC’s research aims objectives and methodology 5

Stakeholder mapping6


DEFINITIONS

DEFINITIONS

United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights (UNHCR)

African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children(Children’s Charter)

Zambia is signatory to these but is challenged by the parallel legal system —Customary and Statutory law—.

Every human being below the age of

18 years.”

Type of Law Statutory Law Customary Law

Legal Age for Marriages Above the age of 21 (permitted between 16-20 by parental consent) After reaching puberty

Parallel legal system- Customary vs. Statutory law


OVERVIEW: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS? DESK RESEARCH

OVERVIEW:

1

Source: International Centre for Research on Women

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE AND FINDINGS ON CHILD MARRIAGES;

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS BASED ON DESK RESEARCH

NOTE:In 2007,67 million Women aged 20-24 around the world had been

married before the age of 18.

of the girls in developing world are married before the age

of 18.

14.2 million (average) girls married

each year.

11%are married before the

age of 15.

P O L I C Y M O N I T O R I N G A N D R E S E A R C H C E N T R E CHILD MARRIAGES IN ZAMBIA.

CHILD MARRIAGES IN ZAMBIA

2

Girls in the poorest 20% of

households are 5 TIMES more likely to be married before 18 yrs

than in richest 20% households.

Progress was made in 2013 and 2014 in signing commitments to end child marriage and revise national laws to meet international standards on minimum age for marriage, consent to marriage and registration of marriages.

2 OUT OF 5 girls are married before 18 yrs old.

Of those married,

65% have no education and

only 28% use contraceptives.

Zambia has one of the highest child marriage prevalence in the world.

Source: Ministry of Gender and Child Development


RESEARCH ON CHILD MARRIAGES

RESEARCH ON CHILD MARRIAGES

3

Various organisations have carried out research on Child Marriages. Research questions answered cover the causes, effects, and suggested solutions.

Causes of child marriages

n Poverty - Dowry is seen as an income

n Cultural values - Family honour

n Inadequate laws - when the law allows it

The effects of child marriages (social

and economic)

n child bearing leading to higher maternal mortality and infant mortality rates

n Negative effect in education

n Higher risk of contracting HIV infection

n Gender based violence

Practical Steps?

n WHO WILL DO? n WHAT? n WHEN? n WHERE?

n Girls’ empowerment n Community mobilisation n Enhanced schooling n Economic incentives n Policy changes n Information sharing & n Support networks

Solutions (examples of successful

approaches)

P O L I C Y M O N I T O R I N G A N D R E S E A R C H C E N T R ECROSS CUTTING ISSUES IDENTIFIED

CROSS CUTTING ISSUES IDENTIFIED

4

High maternal mortality and infant morality

Low GCE completion ratesin rural areas.

EDUCATION HEALTH

NOTE:

Child marriages are a barrier to the attainment of SDG’s No. 4 Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for all and No.5 Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all women

` `

P O L I C Y M O N I T O R I N G A N D R E S E A R C H C E N T R EOPPORTUNITIES?

OPPORTUNITIES

5

Evaluate policy changes (outcome

and impact).

Facilitate for coordination of programs and

projects.

P O L I C Y M O N I T O R I N G A N D R E S E A R C H C E N T R EPMRC’S RESEARCH AIM

PMRC’S RESEARCH AIM

6

PMRC’s research aim is to assess the extent to which various recent policy changes have impacted child marriages.

Research Objectives Research Strategy (PLAN)/ Methodology (PROCESS)

THIS WILL RESULT IN A RESEARCH REPORT AND POLICY BREIF

Identify the past and present policy efforts targeting child marriages in Zambia.

Analyse how effective these policy changes have been so far.

Assess the extent to which various care policies have been revised in order to change perceptions and behaviours.

Desk research and background reading

Stakeholder consultation (general practice)

Survey Research and Focus group- semi structured interviews based on demographic information.


PMRC CONCLUSION

7

In-depth analysis and enhanced information sharing

Improved coordination amongst stakeholders

Harmonised and complementary efforts

As PMRC, we hope that we can help bolster efforts in preventing child marriages through;PMRC CONCLUSION


STAKEHOLDER MAPPING

8

STAKEHOLDER MAPPING -STAKEHOLDERS WITH LOGOS

Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and

Education

Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs

Ministry of Gender and Child Development

Ministry of Community Development and Social

Services

Zambia Law Development Commission

Ministry of Health

Plot No. 32 Sable Road, corner Bishop and Sable Roads, Kabulonga, Lusaka, Zambia, Private Bag KL 10Tel: +260 211 268 385 | +260 979 015 660

THANK YOUUnlocking Zambia's Potential Response to this presentation can be sent to: [email protected]

child marriages in zambia

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