Support to UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage

The project supports the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage a multi-donor joint United Nations program aimed at eliminating child marriage in 12 countries in Africa and South Asia where the rates of child marriage are among the highest: Bangladesh Burkina Faso Ethiopia Ghana India Mozambique Nepal Niger Sierra Leone Uganda Yemen and Zambia. The project focuses on enabling girls at risk of child marriage to choose and direct their own futures through activities aimed at bringing about change in the empowerment of girls with the ultimate aim to prevent child marriage and support already married girls. Project activities include: (1) building the skills and knowledge of girls at risk of child marriage and married girls; (2) supporting girls to enrol and remain in formal and non-formal education; (3) engaging in dialogue with families communities and leaders to protect girls from child marriage and uphold their rights; and (4) working with health and protection systems to implement guidelines protocols and standards for girl-friendly health and protection services. The beneficiaries are girls at risk of child marriage or those already married in Africa and South Asia particularly those in the 12 countries mentioned above.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) households demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours regarding gender equality; (2) relevant sectoral systems deliver quality and cost-effective services to meet the needs of girls; (3) national laws policy frameworks and mechanisms to protect and promote girls' rights are in line with international standards and properly resourced; and (4) governments support and promote the generation and use of robust data and evidence to inform programme design track progress and document lessons.