Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) says it has engaged faith leaders in Nsanje to take a crucial role in the battle against increasing cases of early teenage pregnancies and marriages in the district.
Project Officer for CARD in Nsanje, Nowa Tomoka said his local organisation is worried about the escalating cases of early teenage pregnancies.
Speaking to ProjectM, he said with financial assistance from Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) Dan Church Aid (DCA), care is working inTraditional Authorities Ndamera and Tengani in Nsanje.
He noted that the two areas have higher numbers of early teenage pregnancies and marriages.
“Faith leaders have good relationship with many of their followers who can be reached out much easier,” he said.
NorwegianChurch Aid/ DanChurchAid (DCA) Head of Programs,Paul M’manjamwada revealed that out of one hundred young pregnancies 38 percent are teenage.
One of the participants from Traditional Authority Tengani, Janet Chiwayula said she had acquired knowledge on how to handle teenage cases.
“I am going to champion the battle for the reduction of cases of early teenage pregnancies as well as early marriages,” she said.
NCA/DCA is implementing a three-project in trio districts of Chikwawa, Nsanje and Machinga to the tune of K1.4 billion from 2024 to 2026.
