On the 24th of May, 2024, the Ntha Foundation team, in partnership with the Family Planning News Network, travelled to Ntakataka Village to speak with Chief Theresa Kachindamoto and her subjects about her relentless efforts to end child marriage in Malawi.
For over two decades, Chief Kachindamoto has stood at the forefront of a cultural revolution — annulling over 3,000 child marriages and sending the girls back to school. In a region where customary laws often override statutory protections, she has made it her mission to change the narrative — and the system — from within.
“I told them: not in my district. No girl will be married off while I am Chief.”
— Chief Theresa Kachindamoto
Backed by traditional authority and unwavering conviction, Chief Kachindamoto has used her influence to enforce the legal age of marriage at 18, even when the law itself fails to do so. She suspended village heads who allowed child marriages to continue, and she works closely with parents to ensure girls are not just removed from harmful unions, but re-enrolled in school — with support and follow-through.
Her leadership challenges the assumption that tradition and women’s rights are in conflict. Instead, she has redefined what it means to lead in a deeply patriarchal system — using the very structures of custom and community to protect girls and restore futures.
“I don’t just end the marriage. I follow up. I ask the teachers, ‘is the girl in class?’ If she’s not, I go there myself.”
Chief Kachindamoto’s work reminds us: laws are words until someone enforces them. Change is theory until someone dares to live it.
Today, we share her voice with the world — not as a new story, but as a continuation of the work we have always stood for at the Ntha Foundation: justice, dignity, and the full protection of every girl’s right to choose her future.
🎥 Watch Chief Kachindamoto in a Lessons Conversation with our founder, Ms. Nthanda Manduwi here:
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Stop the Count: Equality Now
An African country sets the legal age of marriage at 18. Cause for celebration, right? But with a quiet clause, many add: “except in cases of customary or religious law.”
And just like that—thousands of girls become legal exceptions. These exceptions have devastating consequences: Early pregnancies, school dropout and lifelong trauma. A law with loopholesis not a law. It’s a permission slip for abuse. Leave our children alone!
To the governments of Africa, we demand :
- A hard legal floor of 18—no exceptions
- Strong enforcement of the continent wide legal human rights instruments that has provisions on protecting women and girls – the Maputo Protocol
- Education and protection for every girl
Because protection delayed is protection denied. In partnership with Equality Now and UN Women, we’re demanding justice and accountability from the government. The government must act on its promises. Join us in sending an email to our national assembly representatives demanding answers.
Visit The Stop The Count Campaign page to get the automated email and apply pressure. Reshare on your accounts and spread theword. They break their promises,we break their servers.
#StopTheCount #StopTheViolence #EndChildMarriage
Work With Us
Want to partner on or fund one of our programmes / initiatives? We are always open to collaborations and partnerships. Contact our Founder; Ms. Nthanda Manduwi via contact@nthafoundation.org, or give us a call(direct or WhatsApp) on +265991850730.
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