Since last week some Media Houses and Social Media outlets were awash with the story of the girl who was believed to be from Machinga District and gave birth to a child and it was further it was reported that girl has 12 years.
The girls name is Cecelia Kamwendo and is 14 years old. She comes from Tembenu village, T/A Kooola of Machinga District. She gave birth on third of September and was discharged on fourth of September as confirmed by Health Personnel at the Machinga District Hospital.
It must made clear that parents of the girl are the ones who facilitated the marriage of their daughter who got married by using local and traditional practices against the laws of Malawi.
The girl got married to a man of 19 years old by the name of Dokotola White who is now at large.
Minister of Gender, Women and Disability Hon Mary Navicha warned that people should never try to put the law to test because they will end up rotting in prison. “I am a mother and I know the pains that women go through during pregnancy period and that I will never allow the parents to force children to go into early marriages under my watch,” the Hon Minister lamented who is also Deputy Leader of House in Parliament emphasised.
Currently the parents of the girl were arrested and the girl is being kept at Safe Home in Zomba that is owned by YUNECO while the ministry is considering the best way to help the girl and her child.