Preventing Child Early and Forced Marriage

This project aims to protect and empower girls and boys who are already married separated or divorced in Nigeria. The project works with civil society organizations and networks and key government ministries to promote delaying marriage and the age of parenthood as well as to strengthen the protection of child rights. Project activities include: (1) creating gender-sensitive child-friendly spaces including those specifically for girls within selected schools and centers; (2) working with schools to improve equitable access and retention of children especially for girls and boys who have missed their school for economic or social reasons; (3) working with primary health facilities to improve maternal neonatal and child health services; (4) providing support for civil society organizations and forming coalitions to monitor the situation of child rights and encourage local action against violence abuse and exploitation; and (5) organizing town hall meetings roundtable discussions and leading advocacy to engage parents and community members especially traditional and religious leaders to delay early marriage and onset of first pregnancy and to support girls abused within and outside marriage. Men and boys are involved in all spheres of community activities to empower them for better and informed decision making which supports gender equality.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) Girls and boys have increased and equitable capacity to protect themselves from CEFM and early parenthood with the support of their families and communities; (2) Child protection systems (including policy legislation and reporting mechanisms) at community and regional level are strengthened to prevent and address CEFM and early parenthood and promote gender equality.