Malawi launches ‘Protecting Girls, Transforming Futures’, a landmark partnership to end child marriage

LILONGWE: The Government of Malawi, in partnership with UNICEF, with funding from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), has officially launched a transformative five-year national programme, ‘Protecting Girls, Transforming Futures: A Partnership to End Child Marriage in Africa.’

The initiative represents a major milestone in the fight against child marriage, a practice that continues to affect 38 percent of girls in Malawi before the age of 18, limiting their access to education, health, and economic opportunities.

The programme seeks to strengthen coordination and accountability across national and district systems, ensuring that interventions reach the most vulnerable girls and communities.

In her remarks, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Honourable Mary Navicha said for Malawi to achieve its national agenda in line with Malawi 2063, girls should remain in school to join the workforce of transforming the national economy.

"Child marriage is a violation of human right, with negative impacts on girls, including interrupted education and heightened risks of poverty, violence and health conditions. We need to strengthen child protection systems and join hands to supporting ending child marriage efforts," she said.

CIFF Director Yvette Kathurima expressed hope that the partnership will drive sustainable impact that will benefit generations to come. She observed that across Africa and globally there is increasing evidence that child marriage can be reduced when efforts are systematic, when governments lead, and when interventions are delivered at scale.

"Malawi is uniquely positioned to demonstrate what this can look like at a national level. We are proud to support this endeavour not only to accelerate progress within Malawi but to position Malawi as a leading example across Africa and globally. Because while no country has yet fully ended child marriage, Malawi has the opportunity to show the world what is possible," Kathurima explained.

UNICEF Representative in Malawi Penelope Campbell noted that protecting girls and transforming their futures requires coordinated action at every level.

“This partnership brings together the leadership, expertise and resources needed to accelerate progress and deliver lasting change for children in Malawi. To every community participating in this landmark initiative, we ask for your partnership. Walk with us, let us protect our boys and girls. Together, let us transform their futures,” she explained.

Protecting Girls, Transforming Futures: A Partnership to End Child Marriage in Africa, targets 10 districts with high prevalence rate of child marriages in Malawi namely Mzimba, Lilongwe, Dedza, Mangochi, Mulanje, Phalombe, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Thyolo and Machinga.

The programme also seeks to mobilize national and international support, raise public awareness, and catalyse additional investments to expand coverage across Malawi.

This initiative is part of a broader regional effort to accelerate action to end child marriage through coordinated, multi-sectoral approaches.