From Malawi, CEOAFRICA.com gathered that Members of the High-Level Task force for women, girls Gender and HIV asked Speaker of the National Assembly, Henry Chimunthu Banda to consider bringing back in parliament the Marriage Bill and increase the marriage age from 16 to 21 years.

According to the task force, this would enable a girl child to have an opportunity to complete her education while also allows the body to prepare for child bearing.

Professor Sheila Tlou, Chairperson of the task team said it was pathetic to see that most countries in Africa, particularly Malawi, have turned a blind eye to issues concerning a girl child.

 The Prof. said unlike a male child, girls are among the vulnerable groups that deserves protection and support from all sectors of the society.

“While we applaud Malawi for doing a commendable job in trying to raise voice on issues to do with a girl child, we would like to register our disappointment with the little progress made in increasing the marriage age from 16 years upwards.

“We feel like 16 years is not enough for a girl child and as such would like you, Mr. Speaker, consider re-tabling the bill and ensure that the marriage age is increased from 16 to 21 years,” Prof. Tlou said.

In his respond to the demand of the group, Banda assured members of the task force team that parliament was ready to reignite debate on the issue.

“You may wish to know that after we increased the marriage age from 15 to 16 years, the public protested against it and to us this meant that there is a lot that still need to be done.

“Let me assure you that I will push for the bill and ensure that it is brought back in parliament,” the Speaker said.

He then commended the team for visiting the country and pushing for protection of a Malawian girl child.