Apolinário Matlhombe
This is the story of two 15-year-olds from Lugela District in Zambézia Province, Mozambique, who were nearly forced into marriage after the girl became pregnant.
The situation came to light when the boy’s father, who had not been involved in arranging the marriage, reported it to local authorities. The matter was referred to the district’s Gender Focal Point, who coordinated a joint response involving the PRM (Mozambican Police), the Kuyenda Collective Project, and the management of Alto Lugela General Secondary School, where the teenagers are both enrolled.
The PRM intervened and successfully dissolved the planned marriage. During the process, the teenagers’ parents were educated about the importance of schooling and the rights of children. They admitted that they were unsure of how to handle the situation and had believed marriage was the only solution.
Thanks to this intervention, and with the support of the school director, both teenagers were re-enrolled in school. The girl has since given birth to a healthy baby girl named Aida. She continues her education alongside the father of the child. Both are now in Grade 10.