Children the First Line of Defense –Early Marriage in Imperi

While the rate of early marriage in Sierra Leone has consistently declined over the past decade, today 44% of girls are still married before the age of 18. Girls who marry at an early age are less likely to continue with their education, and are more likely to have difficulties during pregnancy than older mothers. Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates in the world of women dying in childbirth.

Today 44% of girls are still married before the age of 18.

World Vision believes that a community child protection system must have several elements, working together, for it to be effective. Parents and guardians, and the broader community, must be the first line of protection in upholding the rights of children, while the government –through the police, schools and other institutions –must be able to guarantee them. However, children also have a key role to play in protecting themselves, and other children, from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of violence.

In Sierra Leone, World Vision is working with Kids Clubs. These are groups of 20-30 children, usually aged between 11 and 16. Kids Clubs are an opportunity for children to learn life skills, discuss development issues, plan and carry out small projects that help their community, and raise awareness among their peers on the rights of the child. Understanding their rights, being able to identify a violation of their rights or that of their peers, and knowing how to respond is central to the Kids Club curriculum.

World Vision has been working with 6 such Kids Clubs in Imperi ADP. The children in these clubs take their responsibilities in upholding the rights of children in their community seriously. Representatives of all 6 clubs now meet on a monthly basis without the support of World Vision to share information and discuss their campaigns.

In 2015, Muloma Kids Club received training to hone their advocacy technique, including how to raise concerns in a constructive, non-confrontational manner with their elders.

They learned that one of their peers, aged 15, was to be shortly married to a 50 year old man

This was put into practise in 2015, when they learned that one of their peers, aged 15, was to be shortly married to a 50 year old man at the behest of her parents. The children gathered, discussed a plan of action and approached the parents of the child at their home to reason with them. The parents were taken aback at the unity and force of argument employed by the children, and in the end agreed to back down. The girl in question has now since returned to school.

The children of Muloma Kids Club are now lobbying a new local radio station that launches this year in Imperi. They plan to hold a monthly radio show, where they will use their new-found skills in skits, role plays and reportage to address child rights issues in their community.

How You Can Help

• Sponsor a girl in need: Sponsorship makes a long-term investment in the life of a girl, her family, and her community, providing greater access to life-giving basics like nutritious food, clean water, medical care, and education -- the foundation for a future of independence and hope.
• Share our VISION: Be a part of our Girl Rising campaign and share this message with the world. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest to spread the word. Let’s educate the world by educating girls.

Raise your voice and let others know how important it is to educate and invest in the lives of girls.