Ending Child Marriage: Every Girl Deserves Her Childhood
Early marriage is often seen as a way to protect a girl or her family’s honour. In reality, it ends her education, puts her health at risk and limits her future.
What many people believe
In some communities, marrying a girl early is believed to protect her from pregnancy outside marriage, to secure her future or to ease the family’s economic burden. A girl’s value is often linked mainly to marriage and motherhood.
Why this norm is harmful
Girls who marry early usually leave school, become pregnant before their bodies are ready and face higher risks of violence and poverty. Child marriage takes away a girl’s right to choose her own future and affects her children and community too.
The norm we promote
Every girl has the right to complete her education and to decide when and whom to marry as an adult. An educated girl is an investment in a healthier, more prosperous family and community.
How BAKAID works on this
- Training community members and young people to recognise and report planned child marriages through the referral pathway.
- Engaging religious leaders, parents and local leaders to speak out for keeping girls in school.
- Supporting adolescent girls through clubs and safe spaces where they build confidence and learn about their rights.
What you can do
Support the girls in your family and community to stay in school. If you know of a planned child marriage, report it to the Ward Executive Officer, a Social Welfare Officer, the Police or the child helpline 116.