Feminist Icon - Theresa Kachindamoto
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I read about Theresa Kachindamoto this week and I just had to share some of her story here in case you haven't heard of her.
Theresa is a Malawi Chief nicknamed "The Terminator" for her annulment of around 1000 child marriages since she became Chief of her tribe. Not only has she done that, but she has also sent as many of those girls, and sometimes boys, as possible back to school.
In a country with high rates of child marriage, Theresa has done an amazing job of protecting girls from early marriages and the huge risks that come with child pregnancy.
When asked about the annulments,Theresa has famously said:
“When girls are educated, everything is possible.”
It's not been an easy road for her of course, with opposition from male chiefs and parents who benefit from arranged, child and forced marriages, but she has fought them with courage and kindness. Recently, in February 2017, the country took a major step to end child marriage by adopting a constitutional amendment that raises the minimum age of marriage from 15 to 18 years, for both girls and boys.
I'm happy to see that has received global recognition for her work and has been visited by Emma Watson, the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, generating more support for her work and more financial aid to ensure girls can remain in school rather than be forced into marriage.
I'm sure you will agree, what a woman!