Empower communities to end child marriage - Mexico

Why does child marriage happen in Mexico?

Child, Early and Forced Marriages and Unions (CEFMU) occurs because the families of the girls do not have the necessary resources (financial, socio-emotional, cultural) to give them a dignified life and opportunities for development –especially with regard to finishing basic education, taking care of their health in a timely manner and preparing them to access the job market– making it more likely that their parents or guardians will sell them for an income while shifting the burden of their support to their future husband and in-laws. This is accentuated by the fact that some of the customs of indigenous peoples, as well as the gender norms that prevail in the region, conceive that the role of girls and women is to devote themselves to take care of their home and other people (partners/spouses, minors, older adults, sick relatives).

 Your donation has made a difference!

Thanks to your valuable support we were able to achieve the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the prohibition of the sale of girls for marriage or union by the local authorities in the twelfth locality in Metlatonoc, Guerrero, which increase the number of girls and adolescents protected from that extreme form of violence.

Our experience has shown that it is necessary to consolidate several components to achieve the eradication of the sale of girls for marriage and unions in these communities: “Community Empowerment” raising awareness among inhabitants, social leaders and authorities, and “School Empowerment” strengthening the capacities of teachers and psychoeducation of children and adolescents, and “Economic empowerment of families”, through the implementation and evaluation of a program based on financial education and entrepreneurship, as well as the granting of seed capital, in order to improve their financial situation and quality of life.

Join our effort and be part of changing the lives of thousands of girls in Mexico!

We have come a long way to promote the eradication of child marriages and unions and we are convinced that with your support we will achieve even more. Every donation makes a difference in the lives of girls and adolescents in Mexico who are at risk of child marriage and child unions.  

Links:

• Web page Yo quiero Yo Puedo

Did you know…?

In Mexico, there are 224,454 adolescents between 12 and 17 years old who are married or living in free union. 4 OUT OF EVERY 100 ADOLESCENTS IN THE COUNTRY ARE OR HAVE BEEN IN A CONYUGAL UNION. Child Marriages and Unions violate human rights and deprive girls of education, health and opportunities. In the Region of La Montaña, in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, this practice has historical roots, based on their uses and customs, and currently shows the highest rate in the state, which occur mostly through the sale of girls and adolescents to adult men.

How can you help by donating?

Since 2017, we have achieved that 11 localities in Metlatónoc, Guerrero, one of the poorest municipalities in Mexico, have put an end to the sale of girls for marriage, through the signing of Memorandums of Agreement by the local authorities.

This means that 6,400 girls and adolescents, between 10 and 17 years old, will not be sold into marriage by their parents and will be able to choose a life project based on their rights. We are close to the achieve this in the twelfth locality, which will increase the number of girls and adolescents protected from that extreme form of violence.

 How do we achieve it?

Our program has two main components: (1) “Community Empowerment” raising awareness among inhabitants, social leaders and authorities, through interactive conferences about the recognition of the rights of women and girls and the prevention of violence against them and thorough active participation in community assemblies, which will lead to the preparation and signing of Memorandums of Agreement for the prohibition of the sale of girls for marriage by the General Assembly; and (2) “School Empowerment” strengthening the capacities of teachers and psychoeducation of children and adolescents, in terms of the rights of children and adolescents, violence prevention, and sexual and reproductive health.

 Next steps

The region of La Montaña de Guerrero is made up of 19 municipalities, which are among the poorest in the country and historically present the highest rates of child marriages and unions in the state. We need your support to eradicate the child marriage in all the region, reaching the remaining 18 localities.

 “We can stop child marriage in Mexico. Together, we can change this situation. Please HELP THEM NOT REACH THE ALTAR program. Your donation will make a difference and you can become an agent of change in the lives of thousands of girls in Mexico!”

Links:

• Web page Yo quiero Yo Puedo