Dialogue for change: public forum to address CEFMU in Guatemala

On 21 March, the Public Forum "Dialogue for Change" was held in which representatives of government institutions, civil society organisations and adolescent activists exchanged information and proposals on the importance of addressing Child Marriages and Early and Forced Unions (CEFMU) in Guatemala. Convened by La Mesa a Favor de las Niñas y Adolescentes and Girls Not Brides: The Global Alliance to End Child Marriage, the forum sought to promote the guarantee of the human rights of children, adolescents and youth in the Central American country.

The situation around CEFMU in Guatemala poses significant challenges. Joselyn Velásquez, coordinator of La Mesa A Favor de Las Niñas y Adolescentes, mentioned during the forum that despite the existence of a law prohibiting marriages between children under 18, it has been observed that at the local level these practices continue to occur and are endorsed by community and even institutional leaders. In addition, informal unions between minors present even greater challenges in terms of visibility and measurement. In general, the lack of accurate statistical data makes it difficult to fully understand the problem, said Velásquez.

During the dialogue between Joselyn Velásquez, Alma Burciaga-González, LAC region representative for Girls Not Brides and Mayerli Montufar, from the Las Niñas Lideran Network and member of Red Voceras, they reflected on some of the social causes behind CEFMU. The persistence of these practices in Guatemala reflects a challenge in gender roles and stereotypes that place girls and adolescents at a disadvantage compared to their male peers. Poverty, lack of education, harmful social norms and practices, and contexts of violence and insecurity are structural causes and consequences of these practices. It is important to analyse the contexts of these practices which vary from one community to another even within the country.

Faced with this complex situation, various organisations and entities are implementing strategies to address CEFMU. The Mesa a Favor de las Niñas y Adolescentes, Girls Not Brides' National Partnership, has established four fundamental routes: carrying out advocacy strategies to position the issue on the public agenda and strengthen alliances with key actors, strengthening knowledge and training in human rights and MUITF, monitoring Decree 13-2017, and above all, placing girls and adolescents at the centre of the conversations by strengthening their leadership through the Red Voceras (Network of Girls and Adolescents Spokespersons). These actions seek not only to prevent child marriages, but also to empower young women and provide them with the necessary support.

Study of Public Investment Directed at Children and Adolescents

From this perspective, it is necessary to contextualise the facts in the Guatemalan context, where the prevalence of CEFMU is 29.5% of the population of girls and adolescents. This year, La Mesa A Favor de las Niñas y Adolescentes, with the support of UNFPA and Girls Not Brides, published the "Study of Public Investment Directed at Children and Adolescents" which allows us to observe what is happening in the country:

• The State of Guatemala spends only two and a half cents for every Q100.00 in guaranteeing the rights of children and adolescents.
• 313 cases of girls under 4 years old detected with HIV; San Marcos, Petén and Izabal are the most affected departments in Guatemala.
• 18,287 Guatemalan teenage girls aged 17 detained by the Patrol were accounted for Border.
• 15,000 sexually abused girls and adolescents are registered between 2020 and 2022 in the entire Guatemalan territory.
• In addition, the Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health reported during 2023 58,401 birth in girls and adolescents aged 10-19 years.

The Role of Red Voceras

The initiative of Red Voceras, made up of girls and adolescents from different parts of Guatemala, is particularly relevant. Born out of the need to create a specific space for young women, this network seeks, through interactive and entertaining dynamics and constant exchange, to provide information about human rights and MUITF. It also seeks to strengthen the advocacy, communication and voice skills of the members and to accompany them in the process of politicising their contexts and reaching out to decision-makers.

This last point is fundamental, as it is not only important to strengthen the leadership of girls and adolescents so that they can bring all their knowledge and influence in their communities and families, but also so that their proposals reach the authorities so that they can work together in addressing MUITF and guaranteeing their rights.

The forum was also attended by Mirza Cumez from the Presidency of Women's Secretariat (SEPREM) who established a government commitment to address child, early and forced marriages and unions, teenage pregnancies and the violence experienced by girls and adolescents in Guatemala.

The government, through SEPREM, has outlined a Road Map to Address Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy (MUITF), with a focus on three main axes: strengthening local authorities, designing evidence-based actions and information and behaviour change management. Good practices such as results-based management and leadership identification are highlighted, as well as coordination through CONAPREVI for a comprehensive response. This approach includes a three-tiered intervention model over five years, ranging from attention in crisis situations to support for the consolidation of a life project for young women, with emphasis on aspects such as housing, employability and empowerment. In addition, it recognises the importance of implementing a care system to address social protection in a comprehensive manner.

The Public Forum "Dialogue for Change" has been a vital step on the road to addressing Child Marriages and Early Unions in Guatemala. However, much work remains to be done. It is necessary to continue promoting dialogue, training and action to ensure a better future for all girls and adolescents in the country. With effort and collaboration, we can achieve real and lasting change. Girls and adolescents must be at the centre of our conversations and our actions.