Zambia has a dual legal system, and statutory and customary law in the country conflict on the issue of child marriage. Article 266 of the Constitution of Zambia defines adulthood as 19 years of age and above. Furthermore, according to the Marriage Act, all parties must be aged 21 or older at the time of marriage. Parental consent is required for marriages below the age of 21, and a judge's consent is required for marriages below the age of 16. However, customary law uses a different set of parameters to determine eligibility for marriage, including the completion of puberty, parental consent, the exchange of a lobola (bride price), and a ceremony or ritual signifying the marriage. Thus, customary law recognizes a wider scope of marriages than statutory law, including many child marriages.
