RESIDENTS of Chisangwa area in Kalulushi on the Copperbelt have appealed to the Government to help resolve the issue of child marriages in the area.

Chairperson for Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Smart Makembe says parents are marrying off young girls, as young as 14 years in the area.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr Makembe says marrying of under age children is on an increase and that they want the Government to intervene.

Mr Makembe said it is unfortunate that some parents in his area are marrying young girls when the Government has introduced free education to allow every child to access education.

He said the problem has been reported to some school where a 14 year old married girl is learning from and nothing has been done.

He further commended the Government for upgrading the nearby school Chisangwa primary which only reached up to grade seven has been upgraded to grade eight.

But Astridah Sikasote, a parent, says all she would want is to have the perpetrators marrying young girls punished.

Mrs Sikasote said it is unfortunate that this is happening in the area when the Government is always talking about educating the girl-child for a better future.