Child marriage is a pervasive issue in many parts of the world, with a multitude of contributing factors, one of which is toxic masculinity. To combat this harmful practice, it is essential to promote positive masculinity among men, encouraging them to be respectful, responsible, and empathetic.
Child marriage is a global issue that affects millions of young girls every year. In Uganda, child marriage is a prevalent problem, with 34% of girls getting married before the age of 18. This practice not only robs these young girls of their childhood but also limits their opportunities for education, health, and a bright future. However, there is hope as organizations in Uganda are collectively working towards ending this harmful practice.
The 6th National Girl Summit aims at convening several delegates including children, youth, officials from different Ministry Department Agencies, UN agencies and other development partners, district leaders, faith and cultural leaders, private sector such as school administrators, media and CSOs plus voices of children to reflect on the progress made in ending child marriage and teenage pregnancy both at regional and national level.
Education is widely considered to be one of the most important factors in delaying the age of marriage for girls. In developing countries evidence shows that the more education a girl receive, the less likely she is to be marriage before the age of 18 and more likely she is to delay pregnancy and child birth. While education alone cannot end child marriage and teenage pregnancy, it is a critical building block in ending the abusive practices.
Many girls face considerable pressure to marry early and become mothers while they are still young. Child marriage is a painful reality for far too many girls in Uganda. Driven by the scourge of family poverty and norms that favor boys over girls, child marriage renders girls less likely to complete their education and more likely to experience gender-based violence.
