Campaign to End Forced Child Marriages
Malawi is amongst 10 countries in the world with the highest rates of child marriage. 50% of children are married before they are 18 years of age and 1 in every 2 girls is married before she turns 18 years of age. PSGR is working with government and other key partners to ensure domestication of the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage. The SADC Model Law will trigger policy reforms and development. The SADC Model Law is based on international human rights instruments already committed to by Malawi, making it easy to comply with her international obligations.

More importantly, PSGR is working in schools to build capacity of girls to prevent child marriages and instead develop career goals. Our Life Planning Skills Clubs have now reached to 55 schools in the Southern Region of Malawi. The impact of these clubs is incredible – confidence of girls we work with has increased and are able to speak out against any harmful cultural practices, forced marriages, and are able to educate their communities against forced child marriages. We have also seen girls being able to develop personal strategies against unwanted pregnancies, prevent STIs, etc.