4 in 10 girls in Ethiopia are forced to marry before turning 18. Exposing young girls to serious risks: limited education, violence from their husbands, denied freedom and pregnancy before their bodies are fully grown. Our partner, APDA, work to end this practice through their locally led approach.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
Consecutive failed wet seasons and a devastating civil conflict has left families starving and desperate to give their children more security. When there is nothing to fall back on, no welfare state, parents believe they have no alternative but marry their daughters to wealthier families. This sharp rise in child marriage is a terrifying departure from the safe life most parents believe they are giving their daughters. It denies them the freedom to make their own choices for the future.
Solution
Our partner, APDA, adopt a culturally appropriate approach to end child marriage; through conducting workshops that teach girls to express their views on child marriage, by working closely with clan leaders to ensure they understand the long-term harmfulness of this practice and through the training Women Extension Workers, to become respected figures so they can provide support to at-risk girls. Additionally, APDA work to address the underlying causes of child marriage.
