Ending Child Marriages
Malawi | Neno Shifters | 2023
Moni nonse!
We are Neno Shifters, a self-mobilized youth group in Malawi operating as part of the Community Action for Sustainable Development Organization (CASDO). We are passionate about promoting the rights of adolescent girls and ending child marriage.
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15 - 25 years old
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The Right-Sized Problem
Donda Village in Neno District reports a high prevalence of child, early, forced marriages and unions. This practice has not only impacted the education of these young girls, but also contributed to the district’s rapid population growth. While there has been a significant drop in numbers in Neno District, from 697 child marriages in 2017 to 49 in 2022, the problem still prevails, affecting the future of these girls.
What did we do?
Our first step is teaming up with the Neno Youth Development Centre to reach out to the Donda village community, especially the youth. This partnership laid the groundwork for a series of activities meant to educate, empower and unite the village against child marriages.
We conducted awareness campaigns in the village which proved to be very pivotal. These were attended not just by the adolescents and youth, but we saw the participation of block and faith leaders, the village head, parents and other adults too. We shared information on the laws against child marriages and why certain cultural practices were harming our young girls. Social welfare office representatives, police, court officials and health personnel were also in our sessions, giving a more holistic view of the crisis.
Additionally, we distributed school uniforms to 22 vulnerable primary school students. This simple, yet profound act aimed at motivating these young girls to choose education over marriage and instil the belief that there is more to life than early unions.
We wanted to bring the community together and foster a sense of unity against child marriages. And we did this through a two-day Sports Bonanza where individuals played netball and football. To spread our message far, we organized music shows and radio programs, tapping into the power of art and media to inspire change.
Campaign Impact
Our greatest campaign impact is seen in the leaders who will be setting the stage for change. We have inspired traditional leaders to rethink and put an end to the cultural practices that lead to child marriages. This shift has empowered the community members to take a stand, report cases of child marriages, and support the victims.
The impact of our campaign can also be seen in the numbers. In Donda Village, the number of child marriages decreased from 10 in 2021 to just 1 in 2023. Children who were withdrawn from marriages received counseling, offering them a path back to education and a chance to reintegrate into society.
This campaign is only the beginning. As we work towards ending child marriages in our district and beyond, we are also building a foundation for empowerment, education and equality for the future generation.
Impact in Numbers
Child marriages in Donda village reduced, from 10 in 2021 to 1 in 2023
Reached 2,049 community members on the negative effects of child marriages and teen pregnancies
Words from a young girl
