UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson addressed the issue of child marriage in her recent trip to Malawi in Africa. Watson (26) a goodwill ambassador for UN Women, was visiting the southeastern African nation a day ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child. Even though Malawi has now made child marriage illegal, campaigners have voiced concerns that marriages regulated by custom can occur informally. Campaigners say child marriage deprives girls of an education, increases the risk of domestic violence, death or serious injuries if they have children before their bodies are ready. In July, Gambia became the 13th nation in Africa to join the African Union's campaign to end child marriage, which aims to raise awareness of the risks of the practice.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 12, 2016 07:30 UTC