Delay Marriage Promote Schooling for Ugandan Girls

Child marriage, defined as marriage before age 18, devastates the lives of girls, their families and their communities. This harmful practice is most common in poor, rural communities, and its consequences only perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

In Uganda, 54% of women between 20 to 24 years were married before the age of 18   and 12% are married by the age of 15 years. In the district of Kabarole in western Uganda parents marry off their daughters for money and gifts. More often than not, child brides are pulled out of school, depriving them of an education and meaningful work. They suffer health risks associated with early sexual activity and childbearing, leading to high rates of maternal and child mortality as well as sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. And they are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and social isolation.

Though child marriage is entrenched in tradition and culture, change is possible. Very often, girls and their parents want to delay marriage but lack options. Joy for children Uganda is actively working to discourage the practice by raising awareness of the adverse consequences for girls, running activities that provide girls with viable alternatives to marriage, and demanding more effective enforcement of existing laws that condemn child marriage.

This report highlights activities carried under the project entitled “Delay marriage, promote schooling for Ugandan girls”which is funded by Global Giving UK through the online fundraising. The activities included a meeting with the community leaders and the children of Kibyo and Mahyoro primary school in Karagura Sub County held on 12^th to 13^th February 2015. The meeting was held to eradicate harmful practice of child marriage through raising awareness, changing behaviour and empowering communities with the knowledge and tools needed to resist child marriage.

• DELAY_MARRIAGE_PROMOTE_SCHOOLING_PROJECT_REPORT_GGUK.docx (DOCX)