Child marriage and FGM.

We address harmful practices in communities and as part of the #16DaysOfActivism campaign, we amplify awareness and inspire action to end sexual and gender-based violence rooted in harmful practices, we tackle female genital mutilation and child marriages.

Child marriage and FGM are both driven by gender norms linked to controlling women’s and girls’ sexuality and maintaining social and religious norms.

While a girl’s likelihood of marrying early is most closely linked to her level of education, her likelihood of undergoing FGM is most linked to ethnicity.

FGM and child marriage coexist. FGM can be linked to a girl’s marriageability and is often a precursor to marriage. They both have devastating long-term consequences on the physical and mental health of girls.

Child brides often drop out of school, hindering their personal development and leading to shattered dreams and silenced voices. Child marriage steals childhoods.

Together, we can ensure that women and girls live free from violence.