Childrens’ Voice On - 'It Takes Children To End Violence’- Margaret And Memory’s Case

Children's rights activist - Margaret Musonda 

She is 17 years old but already making her voice heard by the world. The Zambian children’s rights activist Margaret Musonda is working towards an ideal world for all children.

Musonda conducts community sensatization meeting where she talks about children’s rights and the elders participate including the chief. This enables the community to be aware of children’s rights including the right to education. It also empowers the community, even those who are uneducated to know about basic universal rights.

Margaret, working with her young members started a radio programme on Zambian Sky FM Radio that highlighted some violations of their rights in their homes and the community. The live programmes led the traditional leader - Chieftainess her Royal Highness Choongo, to champion the campaign to end child marriage. Since then there has been commitment from various partners that include all the key government ministries and institutions including the police and World Vision Zambia to ending child marriage.

“It is my belief that education is very important if you want to become someone in life. We also talk about early marriages. In my community two girls were married off and after hearing our radio program about this they came on board and talked about it. One of the girls is now going back to school and World Vision Zambia is funding her,” the young journalist said.

She told a story of how some parents valued their livestock over their children. She said one from her community was found dead and another was found after three days - he was hiding, scared of his parents because one of the cows they had been herding was missing.

“I urge all governments to unite to fight all the wrongs in the communities. We need more information on child protection and information should be translated to enable more people to understand,” she said.

Malawi's Memory Kapinama (18) is a survivor of child/forced marriage by her parents.

Memory Kapinama (18) is a survivor of
child/forced marriage

Early marriage in Malawi had become a norm and in Memory Kapinama’s case she knew that one day she will be married off. And when it happened she just accepted.

She was married off in 2014 but after the Senior Chief’s bylaws she went back to school. She successfully completed school and has been admitted to the University of Malawi to further her studies. With her experience she is now an agent of change.

“I use my experience to inspire girls and now I have girls looking forward to a brighter future. I am also now a role model in my area,” she said.

To both girls now the future is brighter.