Family Development Initiatives (FDI), a Muslim faith-based organisation, is deeply disturbed by the recent UNICEF revelation that nearly 1.8 million girls in Zambia are married before the age of 18.
FDI Team Leader, Sheikh Yusuf Ayami, described the figures as heartbreaking and unacceptable, warning that the nation risks losing an entire generation of girls to cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and inequality.
He stressed that child marriage and teenage pregnancy are not only violations of human rights but also major barriers to Zambia’s development, undermining progress in education, health, and economic empowerment.
Sheikh Ayami noted that with 28% of girls aged 15 to 19 already mothers, urgent and coordinated action is needed to reverse this trend and safeguard the future of Zambia’s daughters.
He called for stronger enforcement of child protection laws, increased investment in girls’ education, and widespread community sensitisation to challenge harmful norms and practices.
As part of its ongoing efforts, FDI is currently implementing a number of community-based initiatives on Ending Unintended Pregnancies (EUP) and Child marriages, supported by UNICEF, UNESCO, Action Aid Zambia and SIDA.
Reaffirming FDI’s commitment to grassroots empowerment, he pledged to expand programmes that equip girls with life skills, reproductive health knowledge, and economic opportunities.
He urged religious and traditional leaders, civil society, and government institutions to work together in creating safe, supportive environments where every girl can thrive.
He said the true measure of a nation’s strength lies in how it nurtures and protects its children, especially its girls, who hold the key to a more just and prosperous future.
