Recently, the Zambian government took a huge step forward by passing a groundbreaking law to end early child marriage. As of December 26, 2023, it’s now illegal for anyone under 18 to get married, whether through statutory or customary law. This is a game-changer, especially considering that nearly 29% of girls in Zambia are pregnant or have had a child before turning 18.

Now, why does this matter? Well, child marriage and early pregnancy are closely linked. When girls are married young, they often face pressure to start families before they’re ready—physically or emotionally. This can lead to serious health risks for both the young moms and their babies, including complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Janet, 18, is already a mother and had to drop out of school when she got pregnant. One day, while at a rural health clinic for her child’s check-up, she spotted a group of teens chatting about sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Curious and inspired, she joined in and found her way to the UNFPA supported safe space run by the YWCA. Now, she’s planning on returning to school. 

The challenges girls face are even more pronounced during tough times, like the ongoing drought. In such crises, many girls are pushed into early marriages or exploitation, which only perpetuates the cycle of poverty and jeopardizes their health and future. At a personal level, keeping up with schoolwork, having a healthy social life and dealing with changes to their bodies may be demanding. 

There’s an added dimension to this when girls also live with disabilities. Girls with disabilities can feel isolated when they can’t communicate freely in their communities.  UNFPA Zambia is proud to support the Senanga School for the Deaf, a public boarding school in the far west of Zambia, an area which has been severely affected by the drought. What started as a school just for girls with hearing impairments has expanded to now welcome children of all genders who have disabilities, both physical and intellectual. 

Through UNFPA’s End Child Marriage program, mentors from the Young Women’s Christian Association of Western Province meet with adolescents at the school under the Safe Spaces intervention on a regular basis to talk with them about issues they may face as young people and give them the option to ask questions using sign language. 

“The girls do not see themselves as having a disability, and from this school we can see that when people can learn to use sign language they can live a perfectly normal life and reach their full potential,’ shares Gift Kozi, a Mentor. Muswala, one of the school’s high performing students, said she doesn’t consider being deaf to be a disadvantage at all. “It’s great, we can do everything that other young people do, but we also have a secret language which is our superpower.”

It’s crucial that we prioritize girls’ protection and empowerment, especially in challenging circumstances. Access to education, sexual and reproductive health services, and safe spaces can make a world of difference. In Zambia, about 4% of maternal deaths are among adolescents, and 1.9% of adolescent girls are living with HIV. Gender-based violence is also a significant threat, affecting nearly one in four girls by age 20 globally. Plus, as technology becomes a bigger part of their lives, many girls are vulnerable to technology-facilitated violence, putting their rights at further risk.

Today, we celebrate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future: Empowering a Generation.” Evidence shows that when we support girls’ welfare, we see significant benefits in education, health, and empowerment. Integrating life skills and health education into school curriculums is one effective way to promote awareness about SRHR issues. Every girl deserves the right to make choices about her body and future. We must ensure that they have safe and empowering environments as they grow up and thrive. It’s essential that they are protected from violence, have access to quality education, and get the healthcare they need to thrive.

When adolescent girls are healthy, educated, and empowered with skills and opportunities to shape a bright future, they and their children – if they choose to have them – have greater chances at a better life. We therefore must strive to increase investments in adolescent girls to create a world where they can grow safely and have their voices heard and respected. As we look ahead, it is imperative that we recognize and support their rights to participate fully in economic, social and political spaces.