1. Ending child marriage in Southern Africa: The essential role of parliamentarians
A presentation by Françoise Moudouthe, Girls Not Brides
SADC Regional Parliamentary Dialogue on Child Marriage Laws
February 2015

2. 1. The challenge: Child marriage in Southern Africa

3. 1. The challenge: Child marriage in Southern Africa
A. Definition and causes of child marriage
Definition: A marriage or union where at least one party is a child, which means a person under 18 years  
Causes:
Poverty
Tradition
Insecurity
Gender inequality

4. 1. The challenge: Child marriage in Southern Africa
B. Magnitude of child marriage
Globally, 15 million girls become child brides every year
In sub-Saharan Africa, 40% of women are married as children.
Child marriage is a common practice across the SADC region

5. 1. The challenge: Child marriage in Southern Africa
C. Consequences of child marriage
A violation of girls’ human rights
A health hazard for girls
A barrier to girls’ education.
An obstacle to economic prosperity and development.

6. 2.
The solutions:
How can we end child marriage?

7. 2. The solutions: How can we end child marriage?
A. We can end child marriage by developing a comprehensive approach
Empower girls
Mobilise families and communities
Provide adequate health, education, justice and other services
Provide an enabling legal and policy framework

8. 2. The solutions: How can we end child marriage?
B. We can end child marriage by working together
Coordination of efforts
Complementarity of roles

9. 3. Importance of the law and role of parliamentarians

10. 3. Importance of the law and role of parliamentarians
A. The law, a crucial tool for ending child marriage
Establish 18 as the minimum age (no exceptions, no loopholes)
Consistency across the various legal systems
Consistency in the legal definition of childhood.
Adequate implementation of the law

11. 3. Importance of the law and role of parliamentarians
B. Challenges to keep in mind – and to address:
A majority of marriages are conducted outside the formal legal structure (not registered)
Many countries have insufficient birth registration mechanisms
Most victims of child marriage are incapable of pursuing any case in court on their own

12. 3. Importance of the law and role of parliamentarians
C. The role of parliamentarians in ending child marriage
Ensuring that the legal framework establishes 18 as the legal minimum age
Calling for the governments to develop comprehensive national action plans and strategies
Raising awareness of the consequences of child marriage

13. Conclusion: NOW is the time to act