By Karina Estrada | Project Development Lead
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!”
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