Malawi to Launch CTS Nexus Tool to Tackle Teen Pregnancies, Child Marriages

Lilongwe, March 24, Mana: The Ministry of Gender, in collaboration with the National Planning Commission (NPC) and IPAS, is set to launch the Contraception, Teen Pregnancy, and School Dropout (CTS) Nexus tool on March 27 in Lilongwe.

The initiative aims to address critical social issues affecting young girls and women.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, Ronald Phiri, Deputy Director of Gender Mainstreaming in the Ministry of Gender, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to tackling child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and reproductive health challenges through a multi-sectoral approach.

“At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to integrated coordination, ensuring that different sectors like health, education, and social welfare work together to protect and empower vulnerable groups,” Phiri stated.

He noted that the CTS Nexus tool aligns with Malawi’s national framework for 2024–2030 and seeks to mitigate the loss of human capital caused by school dropouts due to pregnancy and early marriage.

“The consequences are severe: increased risks of fistula, cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and economic hardships, all of which burden an already stretched national budget,” Phiri added.

The initiative aims to improve educational outcomes, reproductive health indicators, and youth development by coordinating resources, skills, and expertise across sectors.

“The goal is clear—to create a healthier, more educated generation of young women who can contribute meaningfully to Malawi’s progress,” he affirmed.

Christopher Kandionamaso, Health Assistance Advisor for IPAS in the Southern Africa region, highlighted the collaborative nature of the CTS Nexus, describing it as a tool designed to address the challenges faced by Malawian girls.

“We are working closely with the National Planning Commission and various government ministries to ensure effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of services aligned with the CTS Nexus,” he said, stressing the importance of improving the well-being of young girls.

NPC Research Manager Dr. Andrew Jamali underscored the initiative’s role in achieving Malawi 2063, a long-term development vision that relies on empowering young people.

“Malawi 2063 is a youth-driven vision. Its success depends on young people being empowered, educated, and healthy. However, high rates of teen pregnancies, limited access to contraception, and school dropouts pose significant barriers. If these challenges persist, the country risks failing to achieve its development goals,” Dr. Jamali warned.

The CTS Nexus tool represents a unified effort to break cycles of poverty and vulnerability, ensuring that young girls are not only protected but also empowered to shape their own futures.