SRHR Campaign - Harmful practices

Key issues Poverty - key driver of child and early marriage. Legal ages of consent, majority, access to contraception e.g. In the Seychelles the age of consent is 15 age to access contraception 18. Health consequences of child and early marriage including maternal mortality. Religious and cultural beliefs and values. Education after child or early marriage or the end of the marriage. Peer pressure, children encouraging each other.

Key objectives End child and early marriage. Facilitate girls re-entry into education after marriage or when marriages end. Develop harmonised legal requirements for consent, majority, contraception and other related matters. Lobby for effective poverty eradication strategies particularly for women and young girls.

Target groups Policy/decision makers SADC Heads of States Parents Traditional/religious leaders Local councils Girls and boys in school Girls and boys out of school

Key messages STOP My future, my right! child marriages I am a child not a wife! Marriage for adults! Education for children! My future, my right! Let me enjoy my childhood!

Tools – media Document stories of girls who have survived child or early marriages, negotiate with the media to run the stories. Public service announcements Put messaging on school stationery and other youth friendly products. Negotiate for supplements in the print media during the 16 Days.

Tools – social media Utilise the existing #girlsnotbrides. Disseminate SADC specific information. Create #stop child marriages

Tools – Community media Work with community radio networks to disseminate content on the campaign.

Tools – other Dramas. Billboards. Integrating content on child and early marriage into school curriculum and textbooks.

Resolutions Harmonisation of laws. Enforcement of laws on child and early marriages and concerted efforts to prosecute perptrators. Poverty eradication particularly creating economic opportunities for women and girls.