The Medicines Research and Access Platform (Medrap) has expressed concern over the continued rise in early marriages and teenage pregnancies across the country, despite various interventions aimed at curbing the trend.
Medrap Executive Director, Liyoka Liyoka, says the persistence of these social vices poses a serious threat to national development.
Speaking during an orientation workshop on ending early marriages and teenage pregnancies in Lusaka today, Mr. Liyoka revealed that Medrap has partnered with UNICEF to implement sensitization programs in 17 districts as part of efforts to address the issue.
“This partnership will enable the rollout of sensitization programs in 17 districts initially, with plans to expand to more areas in the future,” said Mr. Liyoka.
Mr. Liyoka emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to effectively tackle early marriages and teenage pregnancies adding that 28% of adolescents in Zambia are affected by either early marriages or teenage pregnancies.
He called on traditional leaders, civic authorities, and church representatives to actively participate in the fight.
RCV News.
