The anthem to end child marriage was written, composed and sung by talented young girls from Lusaka Girls School in Zambia. It’s a powerful reminder that girls want to be girls not brides, and they know their rights. It’s time to deliver on promises to end child marriage. CLICK HERE to see their music video.
GRAN is heartened that Canada has played an important role in bringing global attention and action to ending child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) worldwide. The Government of Canada’s network of missions around the world is working to raise awareness of the harmful impacts of CEFM. As part of this effort, the Government of Canada collaborated with Girls Not Brides on an exhibit entitled “Girls’ Voices: Speaking Out Against Child Marriage." The exhibit had its Ottawa launch on June 13 to celebrate Day of the African Child and GRAN was pleased to attend.
GRAN raises awareness of CEFM and mobilizes action through media, social media, global campaigns, and by meeting and corresponding with MPs, Ministers, Parliamentary Committees and international organizations and leaders who can influence action to end CEFM.
This year's theme for Day of the African Child is “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Rights”. Conflict and crisis in Africa limits access to education, weakens social institutions and increases the risk of sexual violence targeting women and girls. In such circumstances, families may turn to marrying off their girls in an effort to protect them.
The longer we wait, the bigger the problem will become. Listen to the voices of the school girls from Africa. The time is now...to let girls be girls not brides.
Submitted by Colleen Stefanich
