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MedRAP Strengthens Efforts to End Child Marriage and Adolescent Pregnancy in North-Western Province
From 5–20 May 2026, the Medicines Research and Access Platform (MedRAP) conducted stakeholder engagements and capacity-building activities in Kabompo, Mwinilunga, and Zambezi districts under the UNICEF-supported and European Union-funded Equal Chances for Human Development (EC4HD) Programme.
The initiative brought together government officials, traditional leaders, law enforcement, health and education sectors, civil society, youth representatives, media, and community leaders to strengthen local action against child marriage and adolescent pregnancy.
Pacesetters were trained and district action plans were developed to guide community interventions. Participants also elected executive committees to coordinate local activities and promote sustainable change.
A powerful reminder of the importance of this work emerged during the engagements in Zambezi. A health counsellor shared the story of a 12-year-old girl who had undergone a caesarean section after giving birth. "She was still a child herself," the counsellor recalled. "At that moment, I was not just counselling a mother, I was comforting a child." The story highlights the devastating physical and emotional consequences of adolescent pregnancy and the urgent need for collective action.
Community discussions also revealed that in some areas, adolescent pregnancies are only reported when families fail to agree on compensation or responsibilities. In certain communities, the birth of a child to a teenager is celebrated, reflecting deeply rooted social norms that can hinder efforts to protect girls' education, health, and future opportunities.
Key discussions throughout the engagements highlighted the need for stronger community sensitization, improved referral systems, youth-friendly health services, and greater collaboration among stakeholders. Traditional and government leaders pledged their support, recognizing that ending child marriage and adolescent pregnancy requires sustained community ownership and multi-sectoral action.
The engagements reinforced MedRAP's commitment to evidence-based advocacy and community-driven solutions to ensure that every child has an equal chance to learn, grow, and realise their full potential.