Malawian govt, UN official mourn anti-child marriage chief

17/8/2025 17:07

The Malawian president and a UN official have extended condolences over the passing of Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto, known for her tireless efforts to end thousands of child marriages in the country.



Kachindamoto, the senior chief of Dedza district in central Malawi, passed away on Wednesday due to liver failure, the Malawian Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture said in a statement. She was laid to rest on Saturday in a Ngoni cultural ceremony.



Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera said Wednesday that Kachindamoto will be remembered as "a development-oriented leader and champion of girls' rights, whose work earned her numerous local and international awards."



"Her legacy of hard work, patriotism and dedication to the marginalised remains an inspiration," the president said in a statement, calling for unity to continue the fight against early pregnancies and marriages in Malawi.