. Chenda

By CHATULA KAMPO –
THERE is need for concerted family and community-based activities to supplement Government efforts in combating early marriages, teenage pregnancies and gender-based Violence (GBV), Local Government and Housing Minister Emmanuel Chenda has said.
Mr Chenda said it was sad that cases of early marriages, teenage pregnancies and GBV were reported to be on an increase in the country.
“This calls for us all to scale up efforts towards fighting early marriages, teenage pregnancies, GBV, alcohol and drug abuse through community and family based activities,” he said.
Mr Chenda was speaking during the official opening of Miss Independence Ndola Golden Jubilee pageant at Savoy Hotel on Friday night.
The event was organised by the Ndola District Administration to raise funds to fight early marriages, teenage pregnancies and GBV.
He said Government was making tremendous efforts in fighting GBV, teenage pregnancies and other vices.
Mr Chenda noted that these vices were contributing to ill-health and poverty in the country.
He added that the fight against teenage pregnancies and early marriages would help mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDs.
He, however, commended the organisers for coming up with the event to raise funds to fight social ills.
Ndola District Commissioner Rebby Chanda said the funds to be raised from the event would also be used to help the needy, aged and the physically challenged in society as the country celebrates 50 years of Independence.
Mr Chanda said the Miss Independence beauty pageant would line up a number of activities to fight teenage pregnancies and early marriages in the communities of Ndola.