Empowering Communities to End Child Marriage

• Organization : ASSOCIATION SUPPORT ET GESTION DU CENTRE MULTIFONCTIONNEL ATTAOUIA 
• Project : Empowering Communities to End Child Marriage
• Duration : June 2023 – January 2024
• Budget : 156,000 MAD / year
• Funding Partners : Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family
• Target : 120 women
• Location :

Project Overview:

Child marriage is one of the most pressing issues within Moroccan society and poses a significant social challenge in many communities. This practice negatively impacts the physical and psychological development of young girls, limiting their educational and career opportunities and reinforcing cycles of poverty. This proposal aims to highlight the importance of combating child marriage through preventive social and legal measures.

Project Objectives:

Child marriage remains a significant barrier to development, trapping young girls in cycles of poverty, limiting their education, and impacting their physical and mental well-being. This initiative outlines actionable steps to end child marriage and protect children’s rights. By tackling legal, social, and educational aspects, we aim to create lasting change in communities affected by this issue.

• Strengthen Legal Framework

Revising existing laws and establishing stricter penalties are crucial steps to deterring child marriage. By holding individuals and institutions accountable, this initiative seeks to provide legal protection and prevent underage marriages.

• Empower Through Education and Training

Education and vocational training empower young girls with the tools and skills they need to shape their futures. Providing these resources offers them viable alternatives to early marriage, helping break cycles of dependency.

• Raise Public Awareness

Community-wide education on the risks of child marriage is essential to dismantling cultural acceptance. By increasing public understanding of its negative health, psychological, and societal impacts, we aim to foster attitudes that protect young girls.

• Collaborate with Civil Society Organizations

Working with local and international organizations strengthens our efforts through shared knowledge, resources, and initiatives. These partnerships bring in diverse perspectives and expertise for more effective programming.

• Provide Essential Support to Affected Children

Offering psychological, educational, and legal support to children affected by early marriage helps them heal, regain confidence, and find new opportunities. This objective ensures that those impacted are not left behind as we work to end child marriage.

Proposed Actions:

To address child marriage effectively, it is essential to implement a comprehensive plan that includes public awareness, educational support, and community resources. The following actions aim to protect children, support vulnerable families, and foster a societal shift toward ending this practice.

• Awareness Campaigns

Launch targeted awareness campaigns within families and communities to highlight the harmful impacts of child marriage. Through engaging workshops and media outreach, these campaigns will promote understanding and encourage local support in protecting children’s rights.

• Workshops and Training Programs

Organize specialized workshops and training for social workers and community leaders to enhance their role in combating child marriage. This approach empowers them to become advocates and educators within their communities, providing essential resources and knowledge.

• School Collaboration

Partner with schools to help retain children, especially girls, in education by addressing early marriage risks. Schools play a pivotal role in monitoring vulnerable students, and their collaboration ensures that children remain on a path to complete their education.

• Psychosocial Support

Establish programs that provide psychological and social support to children and families impacted by or at risk of child marriage. This support can help children overcome trauma, build resilience, and pursue a future beyond early marriage.

• Online Support Platform

Create a dedicated online platform for children affected by forced marriage to file complaints and seek assistance. This platform will provide legal guidance and psychological support, ensuring that children have a safe and confidential resource to turn to.

• Legal Advocacy for Minimum Marriage Age

Advocate for national legislation to set the minimum marriage age at 18 and enforce stricter penalties for violations. Legal reform is a cornerstone of this initiative, aiming to eliminate legal loopholes and reinforce children’s protection against premature marriage.

Expected Outcomes:

Through the implementation of these actions, we anticipate substantial improvements in child protection, education access, and community awareness, contributing to a safer environment for young girls. These expected outcomes reflect our vision of a society where children can thrive without the risk of early marriage.

• Enhanced Child Protection

A stronger legal framework and reinforced penalties will create safer environments for children, helping reduce cases of child marriage and protecting vulnerable youth from exploitation.

• Improved Educational Access for Girls

With greater focus on keeping girls in school, we expect higher levels of educational attainment, which will reduce poverty cycles, empower young women, and improve overall community well-being.

• Increased Public Awareness

Extensive awareness campaigns and partnerships with local organizations will lead to a deeper understanding of child marriage’s harmful effects, fostering societal attitudes that support children’s rights.

• Reduced Rates of Child Marriage

The collective impact of legal, educational, and community initiatives is expected to significantly reduce the incidence of child marriage. A measurable decrease will highlight progress and set the foundation for continued success in child protection.

• Better Support for Affected Children

Psychological, legal, and educational support will offer affected children the resources they need to recover and pursue healthier futures. This outcome ensures that those impacted by early marriage are not left behind as we work toward broader systemic change.

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