The Upper East Regional Department of Gender, in collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council, has ramped up efforts to combat child marriage in the region. This initiative targets families, community leaders, men, boys, women, and girls as part of a broader campaign to end child marriage, which continues to hinder the development and growth of young people, particularly adolescent girls.
Collaborative Efforts with UN Support
Funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the campaign is a key component of the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Joint Programme to End Child Marriage. The programme is designed to work with various countries and stakeholders to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.3, which aims to eliminate all harmful practices, including child marriage, by 2030. The programme uses the Child Marriage Advocacy Toolkit to raise awareness about the detrimental impacts of child marriage and promote community-driven solutions to protect girls’ rights and future opportunities.
Sensitisation and Community Engagement
The sensitisation sessions reached 240 participants across six districts—Bawku West, Kassena-Nankana West, Builsa South, Bongo, Nabdam, and Talensi. The sessions featured a variety of interactive methods, including group dialogues, role-playing exercises, and sharing community experiences. These activities aimed to encourage open discussions about child marriage, shifting harmful gender norms, and reinforcing community strategies to prevent early marriages. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where girls’ rights are respected and they can fully realise their potential.
Empowering Communities to End Child Marriage
Mr. James Twene, Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, emphasised the importance of eradicating child marriage to empower girls. He called on all stakeholders to join the movement for a better future. “Child marriage continues to deny many of our girls their right to education and a future of their choosing,” he stated. Mr. Twene encouraged families and communities to engage in these sensitisation sessions to break the silence around child marriage and drive societal change.
Community Support and Commitment
The initiative has received positive feedback from participants, many of whom shared insights from the sessions and pledged to raise awareness in their communities. Mr. Vincent Abe-ena, a leader of the Men and Boys Club in Mirigu, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I never knew child marriage had such severe consequences on girls’ health and education. I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn and make a difference.” Similarly, Mr. Alfred Kurug Akpamah, the Assembly Member for Piitanga, reaffirmed his commitment to the cause: “These sensitisation sessions will help us understand the issue better and take collective action to prevent it.”
Community Leaders Join the Fight
Naba Anaba Kolog, Chief of the Piitanga Community in Nabdam, stressed the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of child marriage, stating, “I’ve seen firsthand the devastating effects of child marriage. I’m excited to work with your department to raise awareness and promote girls’ education.” The involvement of community leaders is crucial in ensuring the campaign’s sustainability and ensuring that the message reaches all segments of society.
Through these efforts, the Upper East Region is making significant strides towards ending child marriage and empowering young girls to pursue education and other opportunities that will help them thrive. The collective commitment from local communities, leaders, and stakeholders will be crucial in shaping a brighter future for girls in the region.
