Demand an End to Child Marriage

Child marriage is defined as a formal marriage or informal union before age 18. It affects both girls and boys, but girls are disproportionately affected by the practice.

Child Marriage is a fundamental violation of human rights. ‘Education for girls has a catalytic effect on every dimension of development: lower child and maternal mortality rates; increased educational attainment by daughters and sons; higher productivity; and improved environmental management.

Advocates around the world — just like you and me — are coming together today to support every girl's right to learn and lead.

Maboshe Memorial Centre (MMC) is a tax-exempted child sponsorship not-for-profit making humanitarian aid NGO founded on the 24th November, 2006 in memories of the late Dr. Rodney Aongola Maboshe Maboshe in Mongu, Western, Zambia and registered under the laws of Zambia, focusing on helping neglected school dropout girls, young mothers, disabled children, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) from poverty stricken families go to school and raise their voices for the right to education in working for communities where all children, mainly girls can learn and lead without fear.

Girls are one of the most powerful forces for change in the world when their rights are recognized, their needs met and their voices heard they drive positive change in their families, communities and the world at large. This year’s International Day of the Girl highlighted the challenges and opportunities millions of girls face before, during and after crises.

Education is the only and the best way to stop child marriage. Educated people from society should raise voice against child marriage. Gender equality and women education is very important to stop the evil practice of child marriage. The girls become extremely dependent upon her parents because of lack of education. As such, she is not in a position to speak against the will of her parents. If a girl gets equal opportunity to get educated, then she will be in a better position to decide, what that is best for her future. Government should take steps to enforce the laws on child marriage. The problem of child marriage can be solved by raising awareness about the disadvantages of child marriage.

Ending child marriage is a crucial step towards achieving girls’ rights across countries, child marriage is a violation of human rights, undermines women and girls’ equality and empowerment, perpetuates and reinforces negative social norms and curtails girls’ opportunities. Preventing child marriage is not only essential to ensuring the rights of the individual girls concerned, but is also fundamental to breaking the cycle of inter-generational poverty and to achieving the post-2015 sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The practice causes girls to leave education too early, thus limiting opportunities for them to develop their knowledge, skills and qualifications. Given that girls represent half the future workforce, this has a significant impact on potential family incomes and tackling poverty. It also impacts on national efficiency and productivity and represents an economic cost in respect of lost GDP growth and the broader benefits of education such as improved health and citizenship.