Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) has launched a campaign against child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Nsanje, which has been cited as one of the worst-faring districts in Malawi.

CARD is implementing the three-year Faith Based Approach to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in Malawi project, financed by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, which began in 2023 and is set to run until December 31, 2026.

Noah Tomoka, CARD Project Officer in Nsanje, is optimistic the specialized approach will make a significant difference in a district struggling to protect its young women.

Nsanje currently ranks as the fourth worst district in Malawi for child marriages.

This high prevalence not only jeopardizes the girls' educational and personal futures but also puts their lives at stake due to the risks associated with early delivery.

CARD is targeting the areas under Traditional Authorities (T/As) Ndamera and Tengani, where cases of teenage pregnancy and child marriage have been particularly rampant.

"We want to see things changing for the better. We do not want to see girls dropping out of school so fast and getting married so quickly.

"Already there has been an improvement in the areas in question, and we want to accelerate that," Tomoka stated.

  To raise awareness and promote dialogue on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), CARD is employing various community interventions, including football and netball bonanzas.

During a recent awareness drive in the area of Traditional Authority Tengani, CARD secured a major commitment from local governance.

Village Headman Nkhulinga vowed to use his traditional authority to support the project’s aims.

“As local leaders, we will penalize parents who force their children into early marriages,” Village Headman Nkhulinga declared, promising to ensure that no girl child under his authority drops out of school to get married.

CARD is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and other health-related sectors to ensure that awareness efforts are backed by factual information and access to services.

CARD’s localized efforts come against the backdrop of a severe national challenge.

According to Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Spokesperson, Pauline Kaude, child marriage remains a serious concern, with several districts across Malawi recording a prevalence rate of above 50 percent.