A Call to Action: Act Now to End Premature Unions in Mozambique

English Version:

Maputo, Mozambique - CECAP: Coalition for the Elimination of Premature Unions and Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage are united with the Government of Mozambique in calling for decisive action to end premature unions across the country. This commitment is a response to ongoing harmful and unacceptable practices that violate the rights and well-being of girls in all their diversity.

We congratulate the Government of Mozambique for its dedication, as evidenced by the establishment of a robust legal framework, including the 2019 Law on Preventing and Combating Premature Unions, which sets the minimum age for unions at 18. However, despite these critical advances, there are still significant challenges in implementing these laws and ensuring that they lead to real changes in the lives of countless girls.

To accelerate our efforts, we propose an ambitious agenda focused on three critical areas: legal and political reforms, improvements in education and improvements in health services.

Education is a fundamental right and a critical tool in preventing premature unions. We call on the government to maintain its commitment to 12 years of free and compulsory education for all children, eliminating the financial barriers that disproportionately affect girls. In addition, the implementation of comprehensive sexuality education in schools is crucial to empower girls to make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships.

We also want to call for greater access to quality, adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, especially in rural areas. Health services must respect the rights of all girls, providing confidential and dignified care, free from stigma and discrimination. Strengthening these services is essential to reduce the high rates of teenage pregnancy, which are closely linked to premature unions.

Given the complex challenges presented by humanitarian crises, special attention must be paid to the protection of girls at risk of early unions in these contexts. We call for the implementation of specialized protection programs and the strict application of child protection laws in all emergency and displacement contexts.

Together, we can end premature unions in Mozambique! We call on all the living forces of Mozambican society and stakeholders, including international partners and local communities, to join us in this crucial fight. By empowering girls and protecting their rights, we pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future for all.

Quotes

"The 2019 Law on Preventing and Combating Premature Unions, which sets the minimum age for union at 18, is a solid legal framework on which to build. Implementing the laws and ensuring access to information about these laws is key to ending premature unions in our country."

Ferosa Chaúque Zacarias, President of CECAP and Executive Director of FORCOM.

"Our recommendations are based on the strong evidence, convictions and knowledge of our civil society, which together with our call for legal and political reforms, educational improvements and improvements in sexual and reproductive health services, will lead to success in the fight against early unions and teenage pregnancies."

Santos A. Simione, Secretary of CECAP and Executive Director of AMODEFA.

"Evidence from around the world shows that progress made to end premature unions is at risk of being reversed due to the impacts of climate change and conflict. We must guarantee the protection of girls affected by humanitarian crises and ensure that they have access to essential services."

Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell, Executive Director, Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage

"During Girls Not Brides' visit to Mozambique, we met with civil society movements, government ministries, donors, international partners and communities, all committed to ending early unions. We will take what we have learned to other countries, and we hope that stakeholders will continue to work together to further reduce the rates of early unions in Mozambique."

Nerida Nthamburi, Head of Africa Engagement, Girls Not Brides

About and contact:

CECAP: Coalition for the Elimination of Premature Unions

As a national coalition operating under the Girls Not Brides partnership, CECAP brings together more than 60 organizations in Mozambique to combat early unions and support the girls affected.

For more information:

+258 84 793 3402 or +258 84 550 5219

Email: jmuandule@amodefa.org.mz

+258 82 360 364 or +258 86 663 364

Email: abede.maganda@forcom.org.mz

Girls not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage

About Girls Not Brides: Made up of more than 1,400 civil society organizations worldwide, Girls Not Brides is dedicated to ending child marriage and enabling girls to reach their full potential.

For more information:

media@girlsnotbrides.org