More than 20% of girls under the age of 16 live in situations of early unions in Namuno, Balama, Chiúre and Ancuabe in Cabo Delgado Province.

The information was given in the city of Pemba by the Provincial Director of Transport and Communications, Nelson Pereira, on Wednesday, during the closing ceremony of the UHOLO-Girls and Youth project implemented by Pathfinder International.

"Children, adolescents and young people represent more than half of the population according to the report by the Population and Health Research Center, more than 20% of girls under the age of 16 are maritally united in the Districts of Namuno, Balama and Chiúre, and more than a third of girls under the age of 18 live in the same scenario in the same Districts, including the District of Ancuabe," he said, quoted by Zumbo FM.

He also said that throughout the UHOLO project, various activities have been carried out by the Cabo Delgado Executive Council, together with Pathfinder International, to reduce the evil that holds back girls' dreams.

"In this vein, the Cabo Delgado Provincial Executive Council, together with Pathfinder International, through the UHOLO project, has developed various activities to combat premature unions, a contribution that we believe is decisive in the efforts to combat this evil, in defense of the rights of girls, adolescents and young people for the well-being of the communities and the development of the province," he said.

According to the source, early unions contribute to an increase in the maternal-child mortality rate, as well as delaying the achievement of the goal of education for all.

Photo: DR