SOUTHERN African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) president Justin Tokely has urged lawmakers, civil society and traditional leaders to strengthen efforts to eradicate child marriage and protect children already in marriages.
Tokely said this in his message of condolences following the death of senior chief Theresa Kachindamoto of Malawi.
Kachindamoto died on 13 August.
An outpouring of tributes from political leaders, development partners and civil society organisations across the region and beyond followed soon after.
“The best tribute we can offer is to continue her fight until every child in our region can grow up free, educated and full of hope,” Tokely said.
Women and girls’ organisation Care Malawi country director Pamela Kuwali described Kachindamoto as a true hero, saying her bold, compassionate and unrelenting fight against child marriage and for girls’ education has transformed lives.
United Nations Women assistant secretary general and deputy executive director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda said beyond advocating the elimination of child marriages, Kachindamoto worked to support survivors, securing scholarships and ensuring girls could return to school.
“We owe that to senior chief Theresa Kachindamoto,” she said, pledging to honour her work at SADC, the African Union and global level.
