Child marriage has devastating consequences for children, predominantly girls, across Africa. That is why Girls Not Brides members chose to mark Day of the African Child 2013, the theme of which was “Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices affecting Children”, by bringing attention to child marriage, a harmful traditional practice that affects 37% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa and approximately 14 million girls a year worldwide.
From the Ivory Coast to Mozambique, civil society organisations challenged African governments to make ending child marriage a priority, emphasising that we will only achieve this goal by working together, in partnership with governments, civil society, community and religious leaders, families, and children themselves.
In total, more than 25 Girls Not Brides member organisations carried out activities in 15 different countries, mobilising civil society organisations around the common objective of ending child marriage, raising awareness of the impact of child marriage in communities where the practice is common, and educating young people about its harmful impact.
Online too, Girls Not Brides supporters marked the occasion by calling on African leaders to address child marriage and joining Girls Not Brides’ week-long campaign to raise awareness of child marriage in Africa – its causes, consequences and solutions. Thank you for adding your voice!
On Day of the African Child, our collective call for action to end child marriage resonated in every corner of the continent, sending the clear message that there is a dynamic civil society movement committed to making child marriage history.
Click on the map above to see our members’ activities on Day of the African Child 2013. Double click on the map to zoom.
Download a summary of Girls Not Brides members’ activities on Day of the African Child: Girls Not Brides members celebrate Day of the African Child 2013 - Report