Malawians warned on child marriages

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Malawi Patricia Kaliati

Minister of information Patricia Kaliati has warned parents and guardians that they will be sent to jail if they force young girls to get married.

The government spokesperson who is also Member of Parliament for Mulanje West made the remarks during a sensitisation meeting on the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Law in her constituency.

Kaliati warned the community members that anyone perpetrating child marriages will be arrested and fined.

Patricia Kaliati
Kaliati: Issues stern warning to Malawians.

”People need to know that it is against the laws of the country to send a child into marriage before the age of 18 and everyone perpetrating that should face the law and be fined with 1 million Kwacha,” said Kaliati.

The parliamentarian added that there is need for Malawians to know that if one registers their marriage at the District Commissioner’s office it means that the man will not be allowed to take a second wife in future.  She further said that it is important to note that if one stays in a relationship for five years, it is a marriage and if anything the woman has to receive her dues.

The sensitization meeting was organised by Malawi government through the ministry of information, communications technology and civic education with support from   UN Women and was aimed at civic-educating people on the country’s Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations law.