At Mkaika Clinic in Katete district, a group of local traditional marriage initiators, known as "alangizi," gathered for their bi-weekly meeting. For centuries, these older women have played a vital role in marriage rites, mentoring young women for marriage including conducting lessons on sexual and reproductive practices, health and traditional household roles. Traditionally, the alangizi conduct these lessons through a camp called "chinamwali," where guardians take their daughters for initiation at menarche. However, this particular meeting had a unique agenda, it was the beginning of a lifetime resolution to protect young girls from child marriages.

Sixteen-year-old *Mary Daka, had adamantly resolved to get married after failing her grade seven (7) examinations and dropping out of school. Accompanied by her mother, she came to the alangizi seeking mentorship and possible initiation into marriage. However, the alangizi had no intention of initiating Mary into marriage, reaffirming the position of Mary’s mother that she was too young to get married, instead, they aimed to persuade her to return to school and realise her full potential. This group of alangizi had evolved into a team of protectors, fighting against child marriages and adolescent pregnancies in their chiefdom. They resolved to ensure that all young girls at least completed secondary school and were above the age of 18 before being prepared for marriage.

"We feel our community has lagged behind due to lack of education, largely caused by early marriages and teenage pregnancies," explained Martha Banda, the group's chairperson. "When our children are educated, they bring ideas that will drive development in our communities and the entire village. Early marriages and pregnancies hinder their education."

Child marriage is a major facilitator to high rates of adolescent pregnancy and in Zambia, 28 percent of adolescent girls become pregnant by the age of 19. Additionally, the percentage of teenagers who have begun childbearing is higher in rural areas than in urban areas at  36 and 19 percent respectively. Adolescent pregnancies not only deprive adolescent girls of their childhood, education, and mental and physical wellbeing, but also carry huge implications on the social and economic development of the nation.

In December 2023, the Zambian Parliament passed a landmark legislation making all marriages for persons below the age of 18 illegal, both under statutory and  customary law. The tremendous stride has provided a holistic legal framework to curtail the practice with emphasis on holding perpetrators accountable. With support from UNFPA's Gender, Adolescence, Pregnancy, and Social Norms Programme (GAPS), implemented by YWCA with funding from Sweden, the alangizi have been conducting the Protecting Girls Initiative since 2023.

"We've changed our teaching approach, whenever parents bring their children to us for lessons, the first thing we ask for is the under-five clinic card, which indicates the child's birthdate. Here in the rural areas, most children finish school late, so even though the legal age of marriage is 18, we try to enroll only girls aged 20 and above. By that age, we know they would have completed their schooling." Martha said.

Martha's personal experience has driven her commitment to this cause. "My own daughter dropped out of school due to pregnancy. It brought me great sorrow. In today's world, life is challenging for those without education." The alangizi collaborate with local school head teachers to monitor school attendance. "If a girl is absent, we investigate the reason. If it's related to pregnancy, we engage with the parents," Martha explained. This collaboration led them to Mary's situation.

Prior to the meeting, two alangizi had paid a visit to Mary and her mother at their home. They held conversations with Mary, listening to her concerns and encouraging her, Mary agreed to reconsider her decision and return to school. The two alangizi invited Mary and her mother to join the meeting, where they would receive further mentorship and support from the wider group of alangizi.

"The area we monitor is vast, so we've divided it into smaller zones, each assigned to a specific member of our team. We regularly visit our designated areas, meet to share reports, and provide updates to ensure we're effectively covering the entire region." Mary's mother expressed gratitude for the alangizi's intervention. "I tried convincing her to return to school, but she was discouraged after failing her exams. The alangizi have been a great help."

To avoid disrupting school, the alangizi schedule initiation camps during school holidays. "These events attract significant attention. Holding them during term time might encourage pupils to skip school," Martha noted.

The GAPS  programme that ran from 2022-2024 aimed to reduce adolescent pregnancies in six (6) focus districts in Eastern and Southern provinces through addressing gender and harmful social norms. UNFPA is documenting program successes and lessons learnt  to inform and adapt adolescent programs to ensure they contribute towards a future where adolescent girls and young people live empowered and healthy lives.

At Mkaika Clinic in Katete district, a group of local traditional marriage initiators, known as "alangizi," gathered for their bi-weekly meeting. For centuries, these older women have played a vital role in marriage rites, mentoring young women for marriage including conducting lessons on sexual and reproductive practices, health and traditional household roles. Traditionally, the alangizi conduct these lessons through a camp called "chinamwali," where guardians take their daughters for initiation at menarche. However, this particular meeting had a unique agenda, it was the beginning of a lifetime resolution to protect young girls from child marriages.

Sixteen-year-old *Mary Daka, had adamantly resolved to get married after failing her grade seven (7) examinations and dropping out of school. Accompanied by her mother, she came to the alangizi seeking mentorship and possible initiation into marriage. However, the alangizi had no intention of initiating Mary into marriage, reaffirming the position of Mary’s mother that she was too young to get married, instead, they aimed to persuade her to return to school and realise her full potential. This group of alangizi had evolved into a team of protectors, fighting against child marriages and adolescent pregnancies in their chiefdom. They resolved to ensure that all young girls at least completed secondary school and were above the age of 18 before being prepared for marriage.

"We feel our community has lagged behind due to lack of education, largely caused by early marriages and teenage pregnancies," explained Martha Banda, the group's chairperson. "When our children are educated, they bring ideas that will drive development in our communities and the entire village. Early marriages and pregnancies hinder their education."

Child marriage is a major facilitator to high rates of adolescent pregnancy and in Zambia, 28 percent of adolescent girls become pregnant by the age of 19. Additionally, the percentage of teenagers who have begun childbearing is higher in rural areas than in urban areas at  36 and 19 percent respectively. Adolescent pregnancies not only deprive adolescent girls of their childhood, education, and mental and physical wellbeing, but also carry huge implications on the social and economic development of the nation.

In December 2023, the Zambian Parliament passed a landmark legislation making all marriages for persons below the age of 18 illegal, both under statutory and  customary law. The tremendous stride has provided a holistic legal framework to curtail the practice with emphasis on holding perpetrators accountable. With support from UNFPA's Gender, Adolescence, Pregnancy, and Social Norms Programme (GAPS), implemented by YWCA with funding from Sweden, the alangizi have been conducting the Protecting Girls Initiative since 2023.

"We've changed our teaching approach, whenever parents bring their children to us for lessons, the first thing we ask for is the under-five clinic card, which indicates the child's birthdate. Here in the rural areas, most children finish school late, so even though the legal age of marriage is 18, we try to enroll only girls aged 20 and above. By that age, we know they would have completed their schooling." Martha said.

Martha's personal experience has driven her commitment to this cause. "My own daughter dropped out of school due to pregnancy. It brought me great sorrow. In today's world, life is challenging for those without education." The alangizi collaborate with local school head teachers to monitor school attendance. "If a girl is absent, we investigate the reason. If it's related to pregnancy, we engage with the parents," Martha explained. This collaboration led them to Mary's situation.

Prior to the meeting, two alangizi had paid a visit to Mary and her mother at their home. They held conversations with Mary, listening to her concerns and encouraging her, Mary agreed to reconsider her decision and return to school. The two alangizi invited Mary and her mother to join the meeting, where they would receive further mentorship and support from the wider group of alangizi.

"The area we monitor is vast, so we've divided it into smaller zones, each assigned to a specific member of our team. We regularly visit our designated areas, meet to share reports, and provide updates to ensure we're effectively covering the entire region." Mary's mother expressed gratitude for the alangizi's intervention. "I tried convincing her to return to school, but she was discouraged after failing her exams. The alangizi have been a great help."

To avoid disrupting school, the alangizi schedule initiation camps during school holidays. "These events attract significant attention. Holding them during term time might encourage pupils to skip school," Martha noted.

The GAPS  programme that ran from 2022-2024 aimed to reduce adolescent pregnancies in six (6) focus districts in Eastern and Southern provinces through addressing gender and harmful social norms. UNFPA is documenting program successes and lessons learnt  to inform and adapt adolescent programs to ensure they contribute towards a future where adolescent girls and young people live empowered and healthy lives.