UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Published purpose

This project supports the United Nations Population Fund and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund Global Programme to End Child Marriage, a multi-donor joint United Nations program. It aims to eliminate child marriage in 12 countries in Africa and South Asia where the rates of child marriage are among the highest: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The project focuses on enabling girls at risk of child marriage to choose and direct their futures, through activities aimed at bringing about change in the empowerment of girls, with the ultimate aim to prevent child marriage and support already married girls. Project activities include: (1) building the skills and knowledge of girls at risk of child marriage and married girls; (2) supporting girls to enrol and remain in formal and non-formal education; (3) engaging in dialogue with families, communities and leaders to protect girls from child marriage and uphold their rights; and (4) working with health and protection systems to implement guidelines, protocols and standards for girl-friendly health and protection services.