Chiefs’ Spouses-Guardians of Change in the fight against early child marriage in Malawi

In Malawi's rural heartlands, the fight against child marriage is often led by unexpected champions: the spouses of traditional chiefs. These women, once confined to ceremonial roles, are now emerging as powerful advocates for women and girls' rights. 

For years, Alice Besta watched young girls leave school to become brides. Besta is a Fumukazi, the wife of a respected chief in her village in Mkhumba area in Phalombe District. "When I speak, women listen-not because I am a chief's wife, but because I am one of them. Together, we are rewriting our daughters'  futures" She said.

 Her words carry weight. Malawi still faces one of the highest child marriage rates in sub-Saharan Africa, with 42% of girls married before 18 (UNICEF). Phalombe is among the districts with some of the highest rates due to poverty, cultural practices, and limited access to education. In Phalombe, approximately 47-50% of girls are married before turning 18 and around 10-12% of girls marry before age 15, slightly higher than the national figure of 8%. Local reports highlight that early marriage is strongly linked to school dropout and teenage pregnancy, which are particularly prevalent in rural areas like Phalombe. To address this, Women, Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) is funding the empowerment of women leaders to advance peace and combat gender-based violence, including child marriages. 

With support from UN Women, an implementing partner, Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) rolled out the Sustaining Community Women's Movement for Peace Building and Humanitarian Response Project in Phalombe, focusing on strengthening grassroots peacebuilding structures. A key innovation was engaging chiefs' spouses who are traditionally excluded from leadership roles, to take an active part in promoting human peace and human rights, raising awareness, and mediating disputes. Working closely with Traditional Authorities Mkhumba and Kaduya, as well as the Phalombe District Council, the project trained these women to lead community dialogues, resolve conflicts, and challenge harmful practices such as child marriage. The initiative not only enhanced women's leadership skills and confidence but also broke cultural barriers that had long prevented them from speaking in public forums or contesting leadership positions, marking a significant step toward inclusive governance and sustainable peacebuilding in the district. In Mkhumba area, 10 chiefs' spouses or Fumukazi, were trained and are now known in the area as the Mkhumba Chiefs' Wives Forum. 

The Forum leads women's gatherings, organize awareness campaigns, and mediate community disputes ranging from family to land issues. Their influence is subtle but profound. "We are the bridge between tradition and progress. Men respect us, and women trust us. That is our power" said Ethel Boyce, Fumukazi Kasita. In many villages, women and girls often feel powerless. Speaking to male chiefs about sensitive issues like early child marriage or abuse is intimidating, and judgments often favour men. But change came when women chiefs and spouses of chiefs received training from YONECO in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. They began to see themselves not just as supporters of their husbands, but as leaders in their own right. "At first, we thought leadership was only for our husbands" recalls Mercy Dexess, Fumukazi Muhowa. "But after the training, we saw that we too are leaders" she added.

Early child marriage is not uncommon in Mkhumba area. Knowing that Fumukazi Muhowa is a member Mkhumba Chief's Wives Forum, a teacher approached Fumukazi Muhowa to report that one of her 15-year-old primary school students had been forced into early marriage. The women chief's forum acted quickly. They visited the girl's home, spoke with her parents, and explained the dangers of early marriage, not just for her future, but for the community. Their intervention dissolved the marriage, and the girl was able to return to school. Today, at 16, she is back in class, her dreams restored. 

Since August 2024, the project has directly benefited 5024 women and reached 37187 people in two districts. Globally, this model offers lessons; cultural authority, when paired with women's leadership, can dismantle harmful norms. Chief's spouses, once sidelined, are emerging as respected mediators and advocates in the fight against early child marriage.