In Zambia, we have two parallel legal systems: Customary Law and Statutory Law. In general, Customary Law grants significantly fewer rightsto women than Statutory Law and is principally based on male power, authority, and domination over women.

Although the Marriage Act (Cap 50) establishes a legal age for marriage (21 years) and under the Penal Code (Cap 87) makes s*x with a girl under 16 an offence, these provisions rarely apply in Customary Law! Under Customary Law,marriage can take place at p*berty, and it is common for girls to be married or have s*xual relations under the age of 16.

The worst victims of Customary Law are women; what do you think should be the ideal legal framework that will harmonize CustomaryLaw and Statutory Law?