By MARTIN MUSUNKA –

. Lungu

FIRST Lady Esther Lungu has opposed child marriage which is a human rights violation that robs girls of their right to health and further weakens their aspiration for better education.
Ms Lungu has also added her voice to the call for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls which include sexual and other types of exploitation.
Speaking during the First Quantum Minerals (FQM) girls’ mentorship camp at Trident College in Solwezi on Monday, Ms Lungu said child marriage and early pregnancies were harmful practices which should be stopped at all costs.
She said Government and other stakeholders were actively working on various measures of discouraging child marriages and early pregnancies by raising awareness on the adverse consequences of the practices, especially for girls.
“This is why I readily accepted to come to this very important event because running programmes that provide girls with viable alternatives to marriage and working towards more effective enforcement of the existing laws that condemn child marriage is inevitable,” she said.
She said it was relieving to see FQM bring together girls from all over North-Western Province and empower them to identify their self-image, thereby motivating them towards achieving the best through training in survival skills, health education and the promotion of formal education.
Ms Lungu said supporting the growth and empowerment of women and girls meant that the quality of life for everyone was being raised.
Ms Lungu told the 103 girls that graduated that they were living in an era of change that would take them to a level of empowerment which some of their teachers and parents could never have imagined.
She urged them to take advantage of the opportunity as they thought of pursuing various careers that would help build a stronger, healthier and more prosperous nation.
Ms Lungu paid glowing tribute to FQM for organising the third mentorship camp despite the economic challenges.
“The commitment you have shown continues to impress all who see the work that you are doing,” she said.
FQM programmes and projects adviser, Gertrude Musunka said the mining company conceived the package of activities for the girls with the prime aim of reducing the drop-out rate among school girls.
She said FQM was committed to the improvement of the overall social, health and economic status of the girls and the communities surrounding their areas of operation in Solwezi and Kalumbila districts.
FQM was proud that a total of 1,700 girls were reached with sexual reproduction health messages, with parents actively participating in meetings held in all target communities.
The ceremony was attended by North-Western Province Minister Dawson Kafwaya, Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga, FQM country manager Kingsley Chinkuli, Kansanshi Mining Plc assistant general manager Meiring Burger, and corporate social responsibility manager, Bruce Lewis.
Senior Chief Musele and Chief Mumena also attended the ceremony. – Story courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS