The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases since schools closed stands at 3 665 as of Sunday (at 26.7.20) and in two districts alone (Mulanje and Mangochi) there are nearly 15, 000 teenage pregnancies that have been accounted for in the last few months. In Mangochi alone, at least 40 young girls are falling pregnant every day.
Primary school learners under Senior Chief Dambe in Mchinji have petitioned traditional leaders demanding immediate action following rising cases of child marriages and teenage pregnancies in the area.
Through the petition presented to Senior Chief Dambe, the learners among other things are demanding quick review of by-laws and formulation of a special task force to deal with issues of child marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Meanwhile, the latest survey conducted early last month by education authorities in 13 primary school zones in the district revealed that about 80 girls became pregnant, while about 130 young boys and girls entered into marriage since the closure of schools in March this year due to Covid-19.
COVID-19 Prevention measures should seriously consider protecting the youth, Let's protect our young ones before they become a demographic burden. They are a majority by the way.
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