By Jones Gadama
The Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare on Tuesday launched a new five-year Ending Child Marriage Programme in Lilongwe, with funding from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, CIFF.
The initiative, which will run until 2031, is designed to accelerate Malawi’s campaign to end child marriage by expanding prevention, keeping girls in school, strengthening child protection systems, and supporting community-led action to protect children’s rights and well-being.
Minister of Gender, Honorable Mary Navicha, led the launch and received strong praise for her energy and hands-on leadership in President Peter Mutharika’s government. Stakeholders described her as a minister who drives implementation and keeps children’s issues at the top of the national agenda.
Speaking during the launch, Hon. Navicha linked the programme directly to the President’s agenda for social protection and human capital development.
*“This programme is a reflection of His Excellency President Peter Mutharika’s vision of a Malawi where every child, especially the girl child, is protected, educated, and empowered,”* she said. *“His leadership has given us the policy direction and the political will to act decisively. As a Ministry, we are fulfilling that vision by moving from talk to action.”*
She added: *“My team and I will work tirelessly because our girls cannot wait. The hard-working spirit that President Mutharika has instilled in this government demands results on the ground, not only on paper.”*
CIFF officials said the partnership will help scale proven interventions and test new approaches at district level.
Traditional leaders pledged to enforce community by-laws against underage unions, while youth representatives called for more platforms for adolescents to be heard.
The Ministry said monitoring systems will track school retention, age at marriage, and child protection responses throughout the five-year period.
