‘Randy’ villagers annoy chief

NOEL IYOMBWA writes CHIEFTAINESS Mpanshya of the Soli people of Rufunsa District has expressed sadness that some men in her Chiefdom have continued to impregnate young girls exposing them to the danger of maternal health complications. Speaking when Zambia National Men’s Network for Gender and Development members paid a courtesy call on her at her palace in Rufunsa the traditional leader said that premature death during child delivery is on the increase in the area. She called for the need to curb the vice through sensitization of the men, boys and young girls. She has disclosed that she has retrieved a number of the girls from early marriages and ensured that they are enrolled back to school. Chieftainess Mpanshya revealed that Chipeketi, Kamwesha and Shimungubo are the three areas in her Chiefdom where cases of early, child and forced marriages are rampant. She has since called on the Zambia National Men’s Network for Gender and Development (ZNMNGD) to intensify its sensitization against early, child and forced marriages by conducting awareness activities in the three areas which are in the remotest part of her chiefdom. And ZNMNGD member, Charles Sibeene thanked the traditional leader for supporting and allowing his organization to carry out its activities in the chiefdom targeting men and traditional leaders noting that the partnership will help address the challenge of early, child and forced marriages. He said that the Chieftainess’ involvement and eagerness to fight the vice has further been demonstrated through her support to the 40 headmen and headwomen who have demonstrated willingness to end early marriages in the area.  The 40 traditional leaders have been trained in Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights as a means to end early, child and forced marriages. The Sun