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Ending Child/Forced
Marriage
By participating in modules on human rights and responsibilities, democracy, and health, Tostan participants learn about the universal human right to free consent to marriage. They also learn about the negative health consequences related to giving birth at a young age. As a result of this newly acquired knowledge, Tostan participants have begun to end the traditional practice of child marriage and forced marriage in their communities. To date, 4,017 communities in West and East Africa have publicly declared their abandonment of child/forced marriage, as well as female genital cutting.
What is Child/Forced Marriage?
Forced and/or child marriage is deeply rooted in the social norms of many African communities.
Among many ethnic groups in
Senegal
and other parts of
Africa,
marriage before the age of 18 is a common practice for girls.
Parents often pressure their daughters to marry while they are still children for a variety of reasons, such as relieving financial burdens, improving their socioeconomic status, or preventing the shame of unwanted pregnancies or other consequences of sexual activity outside of marriage.
Marrying at a young age, however, prevents girls from staying in school and establishing independent financial security. It also causes health problems resulting from early sexual relations and pregnancy. Following modules on human rights and responsibilities, participants lead campaigns to ensure girls are mature enough to make their own decisions.
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