Theresa Kachindmoto (born c.1959)

Theresa is the paramount chief , or Inkosi, of the Dedza District in the central region of Malawi.

She was the youngest of 12 siblings.She married and had children- all boys.

Theresa for 27 years worked as a secretary for the College of Zambia District in southern Malawi.
In 2003 the chiefs of the district chose her to be the next senior chief of the district, a district of 900, 000 people…

She found that there were high rates of child marriage in her district- children aged 7 and upwards. She could not persuade parents to change their views but was able to convince community leaders to change the civil code to ban early marriages.
50 sub-chiefs agreed to abolish early marriage and annul existing unions.

In 2015 a law was passed which prevented marriage before 18. But the constitution and customary law administered by traditional authorities still said children could still marry if the parents agreed.
By 2019 she had managed to have over 3,500 early marriages annulled.
She is now working to raise the legal age in Mallawi to 21.

Her actions have brought her international recognition.

UN Women and UNICEF plan to work with traditional leaders elsewhere to replicate the best practices of Theresa.

Educate a girl and you educate the whole area- You educate the world
Theresa Kachindamoto

Sources used Wikipedia
Herstory by Katherine Hallidan