Despite setting 18 as the minimum age of marriage, Malawi continues to record cases of child marriage.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is calling on every Malawian to play a part in protecting girls as the country marks the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
In a press statement issued to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child today, the Commission said child marriage remains widespread in many communities, despite the minimum age set under laws such as the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act.
The Commission commended the country for this progress but said it has not been enough.
The Commission said a girl who is married as a child loses her education, her health, her safety and her freedom to choose the course of her own life.
It added that the practice fuels school dropout, early pregnancy, gender-based violence and lasting economic dependency.
It described the gap between what the law promises and what girls actually experience as a human rights failure.
Closing it, the Commission said, will require consistent enforcement of existing protections, sustained investment in girls, access to education and health services, social protection for vulnerable households, and community-led work to change the norms that put girls at risk.
The Commission asked government and duty bearers to ensure that girls at risk have access to quality, inclusive education, sexual and reproductive health information and services, and social protection.
It said keeping girls in school and equipping them with skills is one of the most effective ways to protect them.
It added that anyone who marries or facilitates the marriage of a child must face the full weight of the law.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is calling on every Malawian to play a part in protecting girls as the country marks the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
In a press statement issued to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child today, the Commission said child marriage remains widespread in many communities, despite the minimum age set under laws such as the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act.
The Commission commended the country for this progress but said it has not been enough.
The Commission said a girl who is married as a child loses her education, her health, her safety and her freedom to choose the course of her own life.
It added that the practice fuels school dropout, early pregnancy, gender-based violence and lasting economic dependency.
It described the gap between what the law promises and what girls actually experience as a human rights failure.
Closing it, the Commission said, will require consistent enforcement of existing protections, sustained investment in girls, access to education and health services, social protection for vulnerable households, and community-led work to change the norms that put girls at risk.
The Commission asked government and duty bearers to ensure that girls at risk have access to quality, inclusive education, sexual and reproductive health information and services, and social protection.
It said keeping girls in school and equipping them with skills is one of the most effective ways to protect them.
It added that anyone who marries or facilitates the marriage of a child must face the full weight of the law.
One comment on “MHRC urges action on child marriage”
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Yes the government should really look into this because even at the age of 18 girls still leave with there parents that means even at that age its still a risk because them their still young so the government should stop lying to the people that at the age of 18 that means u can do this and tht …….