Raising awareness of child marriage with children in refugee and displacement settlements

Community organisations in Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cameroon have been working with children who have been displaced by conflict and climate disaster to raise awareness about child marriage.

Child marriage is more likely to happen to girls who live in areas which are affected by war and conflict, or areas which are vulnerable to climate disaster impacts. Gender inequality and violence including sexual violence against girls become more acute in such situations, and child marriage is believed to be a way to protect girls from physical and sexual violence. Given this extreme vulnerability, supporting children who have been displaced to understand their rights and access protection is an urgent priority if we re to end child marriage for every child.

In Kenya, community organisation humAhive hosted two impactful events in Kakuma refugee camp addressing early marriage, supporting 97 girls aged 12-16 (main image). They discussed challenges faced by young girls, including barriers to education, and explored strategies to help them continue their studies. Kenya's national child marriage rate is 13%, which is lower than the global average, and much lower than many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya also has strong laws to combat child marriage: the legal age of marriage is 18 with no exceptions, and child marriage is classified as a form of exploitation in the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act. However, the national picture hides the reality for girls in poorer households and marginalised communities: in some communities, more than 50% of girls are married as children.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, NGO AGAPAO-VISION hosted an awareness-raising workshop on the fight against child marriage in the displaced persons camps in Goma and Nyiragongo, for 40 young people. DRC also has strong laws against child marriage: the legal age for marriage is 18 with no exceptions, and participating in or witnessing a child marriage is criminalised. However, 29% young women in DRC were married as children. DRC has endured violence and conflict for decades, with more than 6 million internally displaced people, and 520,000 refugees from neighbouring countries. This long-standing instability has led to high rates of school dropout and increased violence against women and girls, including child marriage.

In Cameroon, our campaign partner Survivors' Network Cameroon works predominantly with women and girls who have endured gender-based violence following forced displacement. Survivors' Network Cameroon is now based in Bertoua, a city which is home to many refugees and is located near to some of Cameroon's refugee camps. Read more about their activities in Bertoua during Global Pledging Week here.