Together with Girls: A Visit to Sesheke on Child Protection and Ending Child Marriage
Where hugs, heart signs, and every child’s voice builds tomorrow— stories of change unfolding in Sesheke
Sesheke District, Western Province, Zambia – June 2025. In a warmly lit classroom filled with laughter and colour, adolescent girls gathered with bold confidence. Dressed in bright orange, blue t-shirts that read “ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE,” they stood as living testaments to progress — and hope to pursue their dreams.
This was the scene that welcomed Ms. Corry Van Gaal, Head of the Canadian High Commission in Zambia, during her visit to Sesheke District alongside UNICEF Zambia. The visit highlighted community-level interventions supported under the UNFPA–UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage (GPECM) — in partnership with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, YWCA Zambia, and local other stakeholders — and reflected Zambia’s broader efforts to protect children and uphold girls’ rights.
Welcomed with Warmth
As Ms. Corry Van Gaal, Head of the Canadian High Commission in Zambia, stepped into the classroom, she was warmly welcomed by the District Commissioner, Sesheke, members of the End Child Marriage Technical Working Group and the community, Inside, a vibrant group of girls and girls and boys at Sesheke Day Secondary School awaited her — their faces lit up with smiles and energy.
Wearing bright orange t-shirts boldly printed with “ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE,” the girls surrounded Ms. Van Gaal with warm hugs and joyful heart signs. 🧡
Girls in Conversation
Inside the classroom and beyond, adolescent girls shared how participating in the mentorship initiatives has had a positive impact on their lives. They expressed joy and confidence, echoing the importance of access to education and protection rights.
“We thank our teachers. They have empowered us with information. Our parents are also better informed about the importance of educating the girl child.” Girls that regularly attend school are far less likely to get married.
Stakeholder Conversation in the Shade
A community dialogue brought together local leaders, traditional authorities, youth, and community to discuss child protection and end child marriage.
“Canada is proud to partner with the Government of Zambia in sponsoring the UN Resolution to end child, early and forced marriage.”
Data & Legal Progress
Zambia is turning commitment into action.
Legal milestones include:
✅ Children’s Code Act (2022) – bans child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM)
✅ Marriage Act Amendment (2023) – sets minimum marriage age at 18 for all
These legal reforms provides a conducive environment toward ensuring that every child is protected from child marriage and empowered to thrive.
Building on this progress, Bernard Kiura, UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist, shared:
“With support from Canada, the UNFPA–UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage reached 139,000+ girls and boys in 10 districts with protection, life skills, SRHR education, and safe spaces. Communities are taking the lead.”
Voices That Inspire
Echoing concern from the classroom, a boy shared:
"Let’s do something to stop drug abuse, which is contributing to school dropout and child marriage."
This call to action shows how deeply young people understand the challenges they face — and the solutions they want.
Real Change Is Taking Root
Real progress is taking root, where girls and boys are speaking up, laws are changing, and communities are leading the way. Ending child marriage means creating safer, healthier communities for every child.
Thank you to the girls, boys, educators, community leaders, and partners for making this change possible.
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