Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲! From August 20th to 22nd, 2024, in Lusaka, Zambia, we gathered with 80 partners from across the SADC region to drive forward the implementation of the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage. This impactful convening was made possible through strong partnerships with Plan International Zambia, UNFPA East and Southern Africa, UNICEF, Hivos SEA, and the SADC Parliamentary Forum.   𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀: ✅ Meaningful participation and co-creation with key actors to end child marriage, including civil society, youth, traditional leaders, and policymakers ✅ Co-creation of an actionable Roadmap for Domestication and Implementation of the SADC Model Law ✅ Launch of a Community of Practice (CoP) for continued collaboration and knowledge exchange   📽️ 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀!  https://lnkd.in/djQrQyFf Let’s continue building momentum as we work together to end child marriage and protect the rights of children in marriage across the SADC region!   #EndChildMarriage #GenderEquality #SADCModelLaw 

The latest episode of the SRHM Podcast dives deep into critical global issues, and the CRANK gets a special mention! If you're passionate about gender equality, child marriage, and driving change, this is an episode you don't want to miss.   In the latest episode they discuss key issues related to child marriage research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including: • The stalled progress on child marriage in the region • Gaps in research, especially around disability and child marriage • The need for more community-based and practitioner-friendly research approaches • Collaborative efforts to create locally-responsive evidence for policy debates   🎧Tune in:  https://lnkd.in/dX6jEi5k

#MovementMakers Sanjeev’s childhood was filled with challenges in school, but one teacher inspired him to pursue education and extracurricular activities. Now, he’s committed to creating lasting change for young girls at risk of child marriage. He believes it’s time to act for a future where every child can thrive. Let’s support his efforts! Watch his story: https://lnkd.in/e_9b9vGD Sanjeev's story is part of our new campaign #MovementMakers, showcasing incredible activists from within the movement to #endchildmarriage and their impactful journeys. #EndChildMarriage #GenderEquality #SocialChange #Inspiring

🙌At this year's UN General Assembly (#UNGA), we achieved a major win for the global movement to end child, early, and forced marriages (CEFM). The Pact of the Future officially recognised CEFM as a violation of girls' and young women’s human rights under Action 35! At Girls Not Brides, we didn't stop there. Here’s what we did in UNGA 2024: 🔹We co-signed a joint statement urging governments to increase their commitment to adolescent girls’ rights up to 2030 and beyond, as outlined by girls themselves in the Girls' Pact for the Future. 🔹We hosted a roundtable with civil society organisations to discuss strengthening the upcoming UNGA CEFM Resolution, including advocating for language that addresses informal unions, support for ever-married girls, and the impact of climate crises on girls. 🔹On September 20th, we hosted A Near Future Without Child Marriage, our UNGA side event, in partnership with Equality Now, UN Women, the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage, and governments of Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, Sida, and Government of Sierra Leone. We reflected on a decade of progress through the UNGA CEFM Resolution and launched the 2030 Accelerator Roadmap to fast-track efforts to end child marriage. 💪 Read more about our activities in our blog:  https://lnkd.in/e55hp3j9

📢 Sangita’s call is not next year, not tomorrow but 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄! Born into a conservative, patriarchal village, her journey began with her mother, who was married at just 14 and gave birth to Sangita as a child herself.  The struggles of women like her mother, grandmother, and countless others in her community fuel Sangita’s passion for ending gender-based violence. Her call is bold and unwavering: We must unite to stop child marriage and create a world with gender equality!   📹 Watch her video and learn more of her inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/eZiWDYqs Sangita's 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘯, #𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 #𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘴. #MovementMakers #EndChildMarriage #GenderEquality #GirlsRights

🚨 Child marriage continues to have devastating effects on millions of girls worldwide. The launch of the former African Union Goodwill Ambassador to End Child Marriage, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda’s exit report details the challenges she faced, strategies she used, and key recommendations for further ending this harmful practice. With 𝟲𝟱𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 globally having been married before turning 18, and most of the highest rates of child marriage found in Africa, this report offers a vital roadmap for moving forward. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:  ➡️ The need for continued and increased support for the AU Goodwill Ambassador role. ➡️ The importance of public awareness campaigns, especially by engaging young women and community leaders. ➡️ Clearer reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability in efforts to end child marriage. Read the full report to learn more about how we can all play a role in protecting girls and securing their futures. Together, we can end child marriage. https://lnkd.in/eV5X6GTi #EndChildMarriage #GirlsRights #AfricanUnion #HumanRights

✨ 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀! ✨ We are proud to announce that 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗞 has been nominated for "𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿" at the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀! This recognition comes after more than a decade of tireless campaigning, lobbying for the UK government to take action on child marriage. Their efforts culminated on 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮, when the UK government passed a law raising the legal age of marriage to 18 in England and Wales, marking a historic milestone for ending child marriage in the country. We are incredibly honoured to see our Girls Not Brides UK National Partnership recognised for their dedication and hard work in making this happen! #EndChildMarriage #CharityTimesAwards #SocialImpact #HumanRights

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted its first resolution addressing the urgent need to end child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM). As we reach the ten-year anniversary of this milestone, we reflect on our collective progress and the challenges that remain. This brief not only highlights what has been achieved but also 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 to strengthen their national-level responses to CEFM.   In most cases, language continues to be strengthened in each iteration of the CEFM resolution. However, challenges to language on 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, the need to address 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and increasingly, 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 “𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿" 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀.   Let’s collectively build a future where every girl has the right to choose her path. Read our latest brief: https://lnkd.in/eai_2FQQ #UNGA #SOTF #UNGAResolution #GlobalProgress #EndChildMarriage #GenderEquality #10YearsOfProgress

📢𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Girls who are married before 18 are more likely to suffer from sexual, physical, psychological and emotional violence. We have the power to shape a better future. The open letter signed by high-profile advocates, allies, and survivors urges ministers to attend the Global Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (#EVAC). By sharing, you're telling world leaders that protecting children is not just a moral imperative, but a global priority. Join us in demanding bold commitments and concrete plans to end child violence. Because the future of 1 billion children is #InOurHands. Read now: https://lnkd.in/dqw4As7v

#MovementMakers Kolawole's journey is a powerful testament to perseverance and purpose. Growing up, he wasn't always the best student, but driven by his mother's support, he pursued higher education in Austria. There, he found a mentor who inspired him to give back to society.   After moving back home to Nigeria, Kolawole founded his own organisation to address issues affecting girls—deeply motivated by his relationship with his mother. Now, he is a firm believer in the power of the collective and has dedicated his career to bringing civil society together to have a great impact towards ending child marriage in Nigeria.   This video shares more of his inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/eWM2WYkV 𝘒𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘰𝘭𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘯, #𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 #𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘴. #Leadership #EndChildMarriage #SocialImpact #Nigeria #Mentorship #Storytelling