In a fight against girl-child early marriage, the Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has welcomed back Caroline Alan, a young girl survivor of child marriage, who recently represented Malawi at a “Girl Not Brides” conference in Lesotho.
Caroline was rescued by YONECO from an early marriage in Mchinji, which she entered at just 16-years-old in 2024. Now back in school, she used the international platform in Lesotho to share her personal journey and speak out against the dangers of early unions.
She expressed deep gratitude to YONECO for her rescue, urging other girls in Malawi to resist the pressure of early marriage and instead remain focused on their education to secure a better future.
“I was encouraged into an early marriage and I am so grateful to YONECO for rescuing me from the marriage because I encountered so many challenges as a young girl. From this trip, I have learnt a lot and am ready to share that knowledge with my fellow girls to help them focus on their education,” Caroline Alan said.
District Commissioner (DC) for Mchinji, Reinghard Kaweta Chavula, emphasised that the district of Mchinji is on high alert to stop child marriages and is working hand-in-hand with YONECO to eradicate such cases entirely.
Chavula issued a warning to parents, urging them to stop forcing or encouraging young girls into marriage.
According to the DC, the success of girls like Caroline serves as a reminder that the community must protect the rights of children rather than cut their potential short through traditional or economic pressure.
McBen Mkandawire, Executive Director of YONECO, highlighted that rescuing Caroline is part of a much larger, ongoing program dedicated to protecting the girl child.
Mkandawire explained that by involving the District Commissioner in Caroline’s return, YONECO is ensuring that those in positions of power take an active role in fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
He reaffirmed YONECO’s mission to continue these rescues and called for more organisations and leaders to join the fight.
Mkandawire stressed that ending child marriage requires a united front to ensure no other girl has to trade her education for an early marriage.
“Rescuing Caroline is part of a much larger, ongoing program dedicated to protecting the girl child. By involving the District Commissioner, we are ensuring that those in positions of power take an active role in fighting Gender-Based Violence,” he said.
By Bridget Makawa
