Stop Child Marriages Today in Africa

Dear Supporters,

It was three months ago we sent a pledge to all our donors of supporters of donating $20 to save a girl from being saved from being married off in rural Zimbabwe. This is our opportunity to send you a massive thank you for securing food for 40 girls in rural Zimbabwe. Without you the last three months could have been hell for those who are living in poverty. But. As many others we were hoping that it would only take three months for the country to enter into a recovery stage and again open up the economy. That is however not the case in Zimbabwe, which is why we again ask you to ensure that the girls remain safe for another three months.

Thanks to you we were able to provide 40 girls, and their families with food parcels and sanitary wear which were to last for a period of 2-3 months depending on family size. Together with local partners we mobilised food parcels which had the basic products to make the families sustain themselves in the most basic way; mais, sugar, salt oil, sanitary pads, soaps and beans were some of the items which were included and distributed. 

As previously reported, poverty and food insecurity is one of the root causes to child marriages in Southern Africa. Without adequate funds to be able to put food on the table, a common issue at the moment due to the economic recession and lockdown measures implemented in Zimbabwe, many families turn to traditional measures which include child marriages. This is to reduce the daily household costs of providing for an extra child, but also to receive a once off payment known as labola. Labola is a payment made from the future husband to the girl's family, hence an easy and quick income source to turn to at a time of crisis.

However, with your help of ensuring that the 40 families receive food for the next three months we can ensure that the families have no need to trade their girls for labola, that they have food security and that the girls are able to return to school when it is safe to do so.

For the last three months we have, thanks to your support and our incredible partners on the ground we have managed to ensure that 40 girls and their families have experienced food security during this pandemic and that they have not fallen victims of child marriage. However, for as long as this pandemic is causing economic recession and consequently food insecurity girls continue to be at high risk of child marriages. We are therefore asking you to continue to support our cause and the girls in this community as $20 can keep a girl safe for another three months.

Thank you to our Donors, Fundraisers and Supporters! 

With Gratuitude,

Africa Child Marriages