Chief Mumba of the Kaonde speaking people in Mumbwa District has taken it upon himself to end child marriages in his chiefdom by dissolving child marriages and sending girls back to school.
This came to light when Human Rights Commission Vice-Chairperson Dr. Felicity Kayumba Kalunga, accompanied by Commissioner Laura Marry Miti and Commissioner Panic Malawo Chilufya, paid a courtesy on Chief Mumba at his palace before the start of the Public Hearing on child marriages and teen pregnancies in Mumbwa today, the 18th of November 2025.
Chief Mumba expressed deep concern about the rising cases of child marriages in his chiefdom which, sometimes, are presided over by his own headmen.
“Your coming here was needed like yesterday. We have so many issues of this nature. I have personally intervened in marriages of young children, I have dissolved marriages in this community and taken children back to school. Early this year in Kasempa, I ended a marriage between two children. In another incident two weeks ago, a girl was taken for marriage in Nangoma, and surprisingly, the girl was in the forefront; she wanted to get married,” said Chief Mumba.
He added that eradicating regressive traditional practices that were contributing to child marriages was an uphill battle as some local leaders, particularly headmen, were actively involved in marrying off young girls by presiding over child marriage ceremonies, a practice that he frowned upon and he described as unacceptable.
Chief Mumba called for increased sensitisation efforts to educate communities and headmen in order to prevent child marriages. He expressed confidence that the Public Hearing would help his subjects have a better understanding of the problem and to stop abetting child marriages.
Human Rights Commission Vice-Chairperson Dr. Felicity Kalunga commended the Chief for his strong leadership on ending child marriages in his chiefdom. Dr. Kalunga emphasised that traditional leaders had the power to influence families, shape norms and protect vulnerable children in society.
“Ending child marriages requires commitment from all of us. When leaders like you take decisive action, the entire community begins to shift. The Commission appreciates your efforts and will continue working closely with your office to ensure that children remain protected, stay in school, and realise their full potential,” said Dr. Kalunga.
She added that the Commission had taken note of the concerns raised by the traditional leader on child protection and community sensitisation which would inform its future interventions in addressing child marriages and other abuses of children’s rights.
Earlier, the Vice-Chairperson paid a courtesy call on Mumbwa District Administration Officer (DAO) Dr. Simasiku Nawa, who spoke on behalf of the District Commissioner, Mrs. Namukulu Munalula Hayumbu, highlighting pressing human rights issues being faced in the district.
“It is such a privilege to finally meet the Commissioners. We are happy that now that there is a public hearing, we can also get to interact with them. There are things we have been experiencing as a district, such as land issues. It’s difficult for the police to resolve such issues because they get to have challenges as well. But we hope that your coming will help us address some of those issues,” Dr. Nawa said.
Dr. Kalunga assured the District Administration that the Commission would follow up on the issues brought to its attention after the Public Hearing.
“As a Commission, we recognise that land matters have a significant impact on people’s rights and wellbeing. We will return to Mumbwa to discuss this issue in depth and explore possible solutions with you,” said Dr. Kalunga.
