Marriage, Yes, but School First!
Mali | Marriage, Yes, but School First! – Jigiya Shifters | 2024
I ni ce!
We are Jigiya, a youth-led movement working to end child marriage and keep girls in school. In 2024, we launched Marriage, Yes, but School First! to change mindsets, engage parents, and advocate for girls’ education. Our mission? To ensure that every girl in Ségou has the opportunity to complete her education before marriage, empowering her to shape her own future.
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18 to 30 years old
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Ségou (Cinzana, Touna, Nampasso, Bla)
The Right-Sized Problem
In Ségou, many parents still believe that marriage is more important than education for girls. Early marriage is a deeply rooted tradition, leading to high dropout rates and lost opportunities. Without awareness and dialogue, girls will continue to be denied their right to education and independence.
What did we do?
Through community-driven awareness, cultural engagement, and media advocacy, we mobilized thousands of people to shift perspectives on girls' education.
Offline Impact
🚐 Awareness-Raising Caravan – Traveled across Cinzana, Touna, Nampasso, and Bla, organizing educational talks and discussions.
🎭 Street Theatre & Cultural Performances – Used Niogolon (traditional theater), dance, and poetry to challenge child marriage norms and promote education.
🎤 Public Speeches & Community Dialogues – Engaged parents, religious leaders, and youth to encourage open conversations about girls’ education.
🎶 Musical Podium – Created a music performance event, spreading the message through local rhythms and storytelling.
Online & Media Impact
📻 Radio Program on Child Marriage & Education – Reached 406,123 people across Ségou, ensuring key messages spread beyond in-person events.
📱 Social Media & Digital Advocacy – Shared campaign highlights and impact stories, expanding awareness.
Impact in Numbers
4,927 people engaged through in-person activities.
406,123 people reached via radio awareness programs.
Strengthened community partnerships with local authorities, teachers, and religious leaders.
Increased parental commitment to keeping girls in school.
Campaign Impact
One of the most powerful moments came when a father publicly pledged to delay his daughter's marriage after watching a Niogolon performance. Inspired by the play’s message, he said:
"I always believed marriage was the best security for my daughter. Now, I understand that education will give her real opportunities"
What’s Next?
We are scaling up our impact by:
📌 Expanding the caravan to more villages in Ségou.
📌 Engaging more schools to integrate anti-child marriage education.
📌 Strengthening collaboration with religious leaders to influence cultural shifts.
